Sept 2011 Rads

Ashleere, bummer that you got cancelled tomorrow. At least they let you know early. Going bright and early wed morning could be ok if you get a treat to go with that latte!



Jackifp, hi to another almost neighbor. How can you be warmer than us? Guess you're more inland. Are you going to cloverdale for tx? Long drive but beautiful country. It would be fun if the tress of us meet up. Once Ashleere and I get our schedules all set we can look into it.



Justmejanis. The tattoo is beautiful. Does this mean you can't wash that arm? I would sure want to preserve it. How lovely for her to spend the time with you and create this too.



Hi Sab, certainly come join us. We'll be here quite awhile and the more the merrier I always think



Peggy

Ashleere - good grief, 7am??? I'm driving to work at that hour, but it seems an obscene time to go get rads.



Ashleere and Peggy - I get my rads in Ukiah, thank goodness. Had to go to Sta. rosa for the ctscan, as my RO works with the cancer center there on Fountaingrove, but the rads I can get in Ukiah. That's a half hour drive from the high school where I teach in Willits, and then it's an hour back north of Willits to our home in the boonies.



I don't get Sta. Rosa way often, especially with school in session now, but coffee would be good, plus bc friends. Let's see how your appts. line up. Have you two met already?



Today was #5; 28 to go,with no se's yet. Aloe Vera gelly twice daily, so far, so good. Good luck to all as the week unfolds.

The DivineMrsM.....you are just one day behind me, i go for #15 today.  My breast is holding up well, just some mild sunburn appearance.  Like you though, the nipple is tender.  We are nearly halfway there, we can do this.  Sorry you have felt weepy.  I think you are more than entiltled!  This is tough, and it is okay to let our emotions spill out.  Roller coaster is normal.  Big hugs to you!!!!

MostlySew...her tattoo is on the top of her foot and it is permanent.  She said she did it for me as a tribute to my strength, to remind her to always find hers.  It says "Indomitable will". 

ksmatthews....I think it is different for everyone and there is no real "norm".  I have not had a lot of fatigue.  Mostly in the late afternoons.  I think many things can factor into the sleepineess you are experiencing.  I would not be too concerned....your body is telling you to rest.  If it continues to be bothersome just ask your RO.  Hoping it gets better hon.  Big hugs to you!  I will be thinking of you!

Stormy123 and justmejanis - Thanks so much for your replies. It makes me feel so much better to know that I'm not alone!

I had #9 today. I go every morning at 7:20 before heading to work. Yesterday I was tired by the end of the day, but today I felt really tired all day. I hope this is not going to last or get worse because I have several weeks to go. Has anyone else felt fatigue?

I was tired today, but I just completed # 15.  I really crashed and burned, took a long nap.  This is unlike me, but I am just letting my body tell me what to do.  I am unemployed right now Leighsa..I feel for all you ladies that have to work through all this.

 WELL I start on Monday they were booked, and tried to push me in very late. So it woulld be better to start Monday. I'm ready to get this over. All aboard I got my ticket to get on the  RADS TRAIN. No turning back.

Thanks, Janis.  I'll order some calendula and give it a try!

I had #5 of 33 today. I have constant fatigue, but that started with chemo.  I worked full time through my chemo, and have never shaken the fatigue.  It has just become part of me.  I can no longer tell if the fatigue is from the radiation, residual from the chemo, or the fact that I work on my feet 8 hours a day.  All I can tell you is I spend most of my days off on the couch.

Janis,

The tattoo looks really awesome! How sweet it was of your niece to do that.

MrsM,

I am not a crier either, at least not in front of anyone. Today at work I lost it, my 20 year old called me crying her eyes out.  She has been going through a lot this year and I guess it's just too much for her. She called me to tell me she needed help, she is depressed and can't stand it anymore. Well, if your a mother, you know that it just broke my heart and I want to fix everything for her and I can't. She made a doctors appt. for Thur. so I hope they put her on something. I can't help but feel like I not have contributed to her problems because I know she is worried about me, but I feel like somehow I missed giving her the tools needed to just handle life. I don't know what else I could have done. I know that I can just be there for her to talk to. Anyways, I got off the phone and just started crying, right there in front of everyone, it was just the thing to make me lose it.  Then I was mad at myself for not holding it together. But, tomorrow is another day, the sun will come up and I will get out of bed and go on.

Here's to keeping my  on!

Hey, does anyone live in Illinois? I'm a little jealous of you's that live close and can meet! I love coffee!!!

Stormy,don't feel bad about loosing it at work. You're entitled and I'm sure all your coworkers understand. And I'm sure you did a great job raising your daughter, don't beat yourself up about that either. You have given her the skills to cope with life. She's reaching out to you and also seeking professional help and both things show she knows what's needed to cope. So, smile, hold your head up high and continue trucking along....using that indomitable will we all are using to get thru this.



Stephn, I just met with my NP before I start rads tomorrow and my office recommends aquaphor and also 100% aloe Vera gel. I found the gel at Trader joes if you have one of those near you. She said 99% is ok too, but less than that might have alcohol in it and that's what they want you to avoid.



I also was told I didn't need to start using the creams until my skin changes color in about 2 weeks, but I think I'll start earlier. It feels safer to me.

Hi Katarina. I have very fair sensitive skin that burns easily. I have only 2 regular and 4 boost treatments left and my skin has been doing very well. I use Miaderm and Udderly Smooth body cream.

My dr gave me Miaderm told me to use it 3 - 4 times a day, starting at day 1.  So I have.

Fatigue is worse than with chemo.  I cant handle it!  I feel like I have took 3-4 benadryls at one time!

I will never make it 24 more times

Hope everyone has a good day!

Dogeyed, the techs who did my run thru said I should leave the markings on, so I freaked out when they started rubbing off and called the clinic in a panic.  Turns out since I got tattooed, I didn't really need them to stay...the tattoos are what they line the machine up with, I think?

Stormy, I have had times when I've been totally fine with this whole process and then have had whole weeks where I felt like I did nothing but cry for no real reason.  I don't have any advice for grown kids, mine are still teenagers, but am just wishing you some rest and encouragement. 

 I'm listening closely to what works for y'all with the skin.  I ordered some calendula and am looking into the miaderm too.  (It has calendula in it!)  

Thanks for all the good advice.  Day 3 today!

All best, girls,

Steph