May 2011 Radiation

Congratulations Duckyb!!!

I feel grateful to have had you along on this journey with me. You've lifted my spirits on many occasions.

I finished up today too, albeit with far less fanfare than the celebration up in PA. I'm feeling light-hearted and very blessed. I too am thankful for the support of each of you on this May 2011 thread. I don't know how I would have gotten through the past couple of months without your support and friendship. You were my sanity lifeline.

You are welcome carberry! now all I need is the energy to make one LOL!

Yeah Ducky and Leslee!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Take it easy this week, you so deserve it!

TonLee:  I'm glad I'm not the only one that gets sleepy after taking Herceptin.  Usually I would blame it on premeds but there aren't any with Herceptin and I can't keep my eyes open later in the day that I get it.  

Got it yesterday from 11:15 til 12:45 and by about 5:00 I was down for the count until I went to bed at 9:00.  Now I get a three week break from everything until my next Herceptin.  Since I just finished rads on Monday, I haven't had a break and I'm so glad to finally get one.  Of course that's not including the stuff I have for the kids (3 appts just for today), but I'm still happy!

Thanks ladies for all your thoughts.................I am sitting here at my computer, with my favorite country station on, and feeling a little melancholey, and the song Remember When came on.........I remember through this whole ordeal I would hear that song and think of my husband who died nearly 20 years ago, and I would cry outloud, just wishing I had him here for support while going through this..............He was so young when he died.............57, from Pancreatic cancer, and I remember all the times we shared just holding each other and wishing we could stay like that forever......................It was not to be...........he finally lost the battle............I guess this emotional roller coaster will go on for a little while.  I will allow myself some "down days", but will insist on having more good ones then bad..................

Don't get discouraged ladies............just remember this is not a way of life for you when it comes to Rads.............soon it will be over..............I too thought "oh my God" when I started, but soon days went into weeks, and one day the weeks were done......................keep the faith, and know that if  "Ducky" did it, anyone can .............................I bitched a lot, but I did it..............hugs

GmaFoley - You know the hardest days for me during rads were the week-ends. During the week, I was busier than usual fitting rads into the day (after day, after day, after day). I anxiously anticipated the week-ends. But that's when I'd get down in the dumps and the crying started. Too much time to think. You do need some time to embrace your feelings to get out of the funk, but I agree you don't want to give up your whole day off to that.

How's the weather? If it's a good day is there something you enjoy you can do outside? If all else fails, I always default to anything that gets me out and moving around. That said, I had days when I wanted to go out for a walk, but felt like if I ran into any neighbor who innocently struck up a conversation, I'd break out into tears. On one of those days, I went to the gym to workout, but came back home because I broke down into uncontrollable tears in the locker room. 

So, my friend, my advice is to first accept that what you're feeling is normal. Then, find something simple you can do that makes you happy. (For me, this would involve getting out of the house.) 

Congratulations GabbyCal! Tomorrow is my last day...woohoo!

I am scheduled for reconstructive surgery in August, but have decided to postpone this and just enjoy being done for now. I have been going through this since last August when I had my diagnostic mammogram. I just want of period of time to feel like I have my life back. Last night we even started making plans for a cruise in September to celebrate. I plan to tell no one on the cruise ship about this past year, just so tired of being a "patient"!

Maggie - that is awesome! enjoy that cruise for me too!  wish we were in better shape financially to do that but we aren't so please come back and tell us about your wonderful cruise

great news tonlee

Congrats to all who are finished!!

I only had 3 left, but my skin was so far gone Monday they gave me this week off. They told me to expect it to get worse this week and it has. It is only under my arm. Turned cooked hamburger gray, then the blistering started. Where the cancer was is barely red. I am going to refuse the last 3. So I guess I am done too, but I don't really feel like celebrating.

I had shingles during chemo and they wouldn't let me sit in the waiting rooms for fear I would contaminate other cancer patients with chicken pox. I even had to get my chemo in an isolation room.

Ducky: I suspect being I'm postmenopausal, they will try to give me the same med - there are a couple of others - Have you done the research on them??? Just curious because I don't see my MO until I'm done with rads and he hasn't discussed what he is planning to put me on..

ForMyBoys, so sorry about the "cooked gray hamburger skin"! OUCH!! Not to mention being isolated during chemo! I know that you can't give shingles to someone else, but can give chicken pox to those who have not had it. When I was in chemo, practically everyone there was older than I am (and I am not that young). There weren't any children around, but I suppose that could be an issue if there were. How long did they keep you isolated?

I am seeing my PCP on Tuesday to see if I am still contagious. Because I had the shot a few years ago, I got a very mild case, but it was still a shock to hear that diagnosis.

GmaFoley, I'm so sorry that you are feeling down. Maybe a good laugh-out-loud movie is in order.I found that when I was so tearful during chemo (4 months of crying at the drop of a hat) I became addicted to the Real Housewives of New Jersey. I am not proud of my taste in trashy tv, L
but it sure took my mind off of feeling sad when I watched those women acting like ******s. Very therapeutic. Thankfully, I have kicked the habit.

So had my herceptin yesterday and now I am sick as a dog.  Headache, nausea and the big D, up all night.  Idont usually respond to the herceptin this way, usually just a headache.   Thinking of cancelling rads, but want to be done.  I have an hr. drive each way, guess i better take a bucket.  Took some compazine and lomotil, ugg feels like chemo all over again! Thank goodness its FRIDAY!