After Radiation

Sagina - Thanks for sharing as your story sounds similar to what I have going on. The "aha" may be that I too put on an underwire bra just a few days ago because I wanted to look normal for a change. It was after I started wearing the bra that the swelling started. Maybe we're not as fully healed as we think. I'm going back to the cotton camisoles too. Still need to be a patient patient I guess. Be well. Gabby

Elizabeth - congrats and welcome to the after rads thread.  Come often and hang out.  Bring all your questions, concerns or just have some fun with us.

Elizabeth- welcome and congratulations!!! You can say whatever you want hear..we ar enot tired of listening or responding!

GMAfoley- yes..it will ge better. do some trigger point massage on the areas tha hurt and some stretches...it really does help. and he bra thing does change...I didn't believe it either because my ribs and breasts have hurt since radiation but suddenly two weeks ago i realized I was without pain! wow...it does happen....my breast was no longer swollen either so I can wear a bra without a seam across the nipple....so....it will get better. really

I finished rads 3 weeks ago.  I've noticed some swelling up by my neck and clavical.  Does anyone else have this?   I've gone back to work, so I've been wearing a bra and a big prosthesis.  It is not very comfortable all day!  I only had half of my fills done prior to RADs so I have to stay this way for awhile.  Bummer.

We leave for vacation soon, headed in to the face of ???WHAT??? a hurricane!!  Told my husband, I've stared Breast Cancer in the face, along with chemo and radiation, fought it and for now am winning so I can do angry weather.  We'll just pull out the plastic and hole up somewhere if we have to until it clears out.  We NEED this trip.  I NEED this trip to see my daughter and grand-kids.

Have any of you who have been out of rads as long as I have, April 15, and are completely healed as far as skin (not mentioning the pain, burning, stinging, discomfort going on internally) started using their regular lotions?  I have some great lotions bought from my salon and it is OPI, AvoJuice or something like that.  It is so nice with lots of moisturizers and I was wondering if I can use it instead of the Eucerin on my breast since it is all healed up?  I've got some great scents of it and would much rather smell it on my skin.  Just don't want to do anything I shouldn't  I'm going through another period of a lot of itching of the breast and under the arm in the nodes area (I was node negative but got some radiation there anyway) along with the constant, ongoing pain and discomfort.

Also Cindy I think is the one who asked where in Maine we are going?  If we can get in to the state (or even NY or NH for that matter, with the hurricane threat!) we will be real close by to you.  Our daughter lives in Westbrook and we'll be there for a couple of days before going to our cottage in Cape Elizabeth (yeah, I know, a coastal cottage with a hurricane coming seems like a crazy move on our part, but we'll see).  We almost booked in the Scarborough/Pine Point area but everything that we could afford was taken.  I wonder how many people have canceled their vacation plans for out there!

Take care all you super ladies and (((((HUGS)))))

Juanita 

Juanit will be praying for safe travels for you.  and as far as the lotions you should be able to use whatever you want at this point.  Just pay attention to your skin because it is still vunerable.

Barb Woohoo so glad you finished an are joining us here.

Hi everyone:  I had my last rad treatment today so, like Barb, I can officially join this group.  I am so happy to be here.  I was one of the rare people for whom rads was worse than chemo.  Rads was not too bad physically, but wow did it do an emotional number on me.  I feel like singing the Kenny Loggins song, "Please Celebrate Me Home."  

Juanita:  I hope your vacation will be fun and safe despite the hurricane. 

Juanita  Have a safe trip.  Yes you will be real close by as I live in Scarborough.  Not sure when you will get here but they right now are calling for heavy rain Sunday afternoon into Monday morning.  They also said that this could change.... 

Cindy

Elizabeth - Congrats on finishing rads - doing the happy dance with you.  Now you get to hang out with a wonderful group of ladies.  Now let the healing begin.

Granny the utterly smooth in the tube has parabin but the one in the jar doesn't... I was amazed.

I'm just catching up reading the last few days. 

Gabby:  I know what you're talking about - I finished chemo over 3 wks ago and I have pain and swelling that started just the last few days.  I want to get a prosthesis but was told that we would be swelling for a couple of months and wouldn't get a good fit until that's over.  I think the pain, which seems to be a bit muscular, is bothersome but at the same time I think I'm getting more feeling in my arm and under my arm where I had the nodes taken out.  The muscle pain part is towards the center and top of my chest.  Is that what you're talking about?

Granny................where are you................I'm concerned......hope you got out of Jersey...............the friggin thing if it stays on its course is going right across my shore house.............everything is still out since I had no idea when I left that this was going to happen......that was a week ago Tuesday.............................was suppose to go tonight.................we're still going to get whacked in Philly, but I am concerned more about the shore..................I expect a lot of damage..............what a way to end the "season"..............hope all our Pa., Del., NC, Va., and NY and NJ ladies are safe................prayers for all of us.........................I asked..........is there a Patron Saint of Hurricanes...........haha.........why the hell am I laughing............we're on the brink of hell, and I'm laughing...................ok, where's the Vodka.