March 2011 Rads

cmblastic:  They scheduled and RO appt for me three months out.  I can call if I have issues before then.  My second MO appt is the beginning of May, scheduled so I would have completed rads, and be on the mend.  Not looking forward to that appointment. I think my MO is an idiot.  I think I'm going to decline Tamoxifen.  I'm having too many issues below the belt, and until they are remedied, I don't want to dump something in my body that could aggravate them.

Libraylil: I miss my rads nurse too. He was super nice.  Don't get me wrong as I am a happily involved woman, but he gave me this really awkward hug, and then I just hung on to him until the hug fixed itself into a proper one...Do you think it has something to do with that syndrome that kidnapped victims go through when they become protective of their captors?  Can't remember the name!

GirlFriday, Stockholm Syndrome. What an apt comparison! I wonder if I will feel the same way. My nipple has continued to get sorer and sorer over the weekend. Now it hurts just to have my robe touch it. Oh well, 3 more regular tx's and then the boosts. I can do it!

sandymess:  Mine did the same thing the right before my last several full sessions!  As of this morning it almost looks a normal pink, and it's not sore, but still a little swollen.  My scar, on the other hand is angry!  Itchy and sore and very, very red!  Thanks for telling me the syndrome!  I could not remember!  But it's kind of true isn't ? We are captured for 6+ weeks by these friendly people that do horrible things to us!  These last tx's will go so fast! 

marjie:  I feel the same way!  Friday and napped and moped. Today I feel pretty good!

Happy Monday, DONE DONE AND DONE!! YAY!!!!!  My breast is peeling all over and under my arm still hurts Tomorrow i am going to pretend that this never happened and that it will just be a normal day. That means wake up when i feel like it and take my time getting ready for work. Ha Ha Ha! Just for one day and then back to reality. Thanks for everything, this thread has been so helpful to me and i plan on coming back often to check on everyone. So for now be well and congrats to all that are done and good luck to everyone going through it!! You can do it!!!!!

                                                                        Pam

Libraylil, I'm with you! The aloe plant has been amazing for me!!  It will be so nice, end of next week , to take my time getting ready for work.  I've been lucky to be able to work through most of chemo and rads.  But I will be using my sick days for beach, mental health, and meeting with friends days when this is over!!!   I wish we could all meet for lunch~~ It has been such a blessing to have this site and all of your help and support through this phase of our journey.  

GirlFriday, you should write a book!!  you're creative writing has been both inspirational and so darn funny!

Marathon Monday in MA, off from work and an extra day off from rads, yahoo!!

Ginger you are too funny...we all need to jump up and run the big rad machine. I jokingly told the head tech that I listen to the humming and always hope it stops when it is supposed to. She thought I was serious and started telling me about all the safeguards that were in place. I told her that everyone probably thinks about it, I just said it. Again I use my BC pass to say whatever I am thinking. Libraylil

i've been using puer aloe and its seems to help a lot!

COUNTDOW 5 TO GO!

I GOT MY radiation staff a large basket of baked goods- i had ordered it when i thought last wek was my last week so they got it a week early!

Grandmabubba:  Sorry you didn't get all the "rad tech love" some of the rest of us did.  My cancer center staff is amazing!  I don't know who does their hiring, but everyone, even the parking lot attendant (they do free valet parking for the cancer patients!), knows our names by our second day and gives us a big smile and friendly greeting!   Their sunny attitude and efficieny helped ally any pain I've experienced while getting my treatments.  

While they were prepping me for yesterday's boost I reminded the techs twice to remember to put the rubber pad over my nipple because it was starting to get sore.  They laughed and replied that I didn't have to worry, they wouldn't forget it.  They said that my nipple isn't even involved in the boost and the pad is there so that they can bring the bolus in closer and that it helps the radiation penetrate the skin.  They also told me that my nipple wasn't even involved. 

As to gifts, during this whole process, I kept having this fantasy of my techs doing their magic to get rid of my cancer dragon, so I went on Etsy.com and found some fairy (as in Fairy Godmother) pendants that I'll be giving to my gal techs and some dragon keychains (as in dragon slayers) for the guys.   I think I'll get some Krispy Kreme donuts too, as a thankyou for the rest of the staff. 

gingerstx - when I asked the tech he said that was just the delayed reaction from the regular rads, really rude things starting to get worse to my skin.  It is really an exquisite torture having to work with the clothing against my skin, no matter how soft.  Oh well! 

 Libraylil - will go to fabric store and get fleece, I also notice myself tucking my shirt up under my breast.

29/30 today.  Practicing humming graduation music.

Whoo-Hooo!! I get to join the countdown! Today was 23/33, so 1 more regular treatment and then 8 boosts. 9 to go!!!!

ginger- I feel the same way about my cancer center! We also have the valet guys and from them to the girls that check me in everyday to the techs, nurses and drs, everyone has been fabulous!! So sweet and friendly! I've made lots of friends in the waiting room too. There is even a 10 girl who comes about the same time I'm there. She had nueroblastoma (sp). Bless her heart, 10 years old! Puts things in perspective.

Congrats to everyone finished and finishing up!!

COUNTDOWN= 6! 1 more regular and 5 boosts! 

So glad to read all of your posts.  Congrats to those who have finished YAY!!! And for those  with a few more to go Take heart.. you will get there!

I am one week after my last rad my breast is almost completely healed.  A little peeling under my arm and pretty tan  Went to MO on Friday. She said she had not seen a breast as red as mine in years. But she gave me an A+ on my check up and said she would see me in 3 months!!!

 Oh well it healed and I have started walk/running,  I am going to do a 5k this summer. 

I cannot believe this journey is ending.Thank you all for the support..

 Libraylil-  thanks for recommending The Emporer of All Maladies.  Wow!  It won the Pulitzer prize earlier this month!  I usually shy away from reading non-fiction and wasn't sure I'd like reading about this dragon that's changed my life so much, but I just finished reading its reviews and the first three pages on Amazon now I'm looking forward to reading it!    

Getting down to the wire;  after this morning's treatment I only have 3 to go!  My rash/skin continues to be flaking off rather than peeling and the area feels tight but no longer itches.  My RO said she usually sees her patients 2 weeks after they finish rads but because I live in the islands and am eager to fly back home, she'll see me a week after to make sure my healing is proceeding normally.   Then it will be 3-4 months after that.. she's fine with coordinating future appts. with my MO who's put me on Femara once I get home.   I feel blessed to have had my sister open her home to me in a place where I could be treated by such caring oncologists.   It's a big difference from my SO in Florida who barely met with me and said nothing about SE's or follow-ups!

Marjie, glad to hear your healing, your picture is beautiful!   I had to stop my countdown as today was pics for the boost, I tried to get everyone to be on board with a boost after the xrays, but no chance today!!! 

Good luck everyone with treatments and countdowns and healing.

COUNTDOWN=5