August 2011 rads

So happy for all of you who finish this week!!  YAY!!  I'm close behind with two more full breast and start boosts on Wednesday; I'll be done a week from Tuesday on the 27th. 

Really sore under my breast now - in the crease.  Alternating aquafor and aloe vera - caking it on thickly underneath, but the topside is doing great.  I could so use a hug from someone who gets it.  Know what I mean?  Have a downer day and trying to focus on the 27th.  Sorry, but love you all for listening.

Ann

Only 9 days ann329--time to start planning your celebration!  We all have those days when it all creeps up on us...

{{{{{{{{{{a gentle hug for you to chase away the blue}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Sending gentle hugs Ann.  Yes, Kate I've had the big, red rash for two weeks now.  It's pretty itchy.  I use hydrocortizone.  And I peeled today (skin flaked off that was wrapped up in Aquaphor).  Now, me red chest is a little pinker and raw.  Ouch!  I was told that I can use any lotion I want this weekend but my boosts start tomorrow so I can only use lotions on the upper chest area and under (away from the tumor site).  My burn is quite visible even though I'm trying not to wear low cut shirts. 

I get to join the celebration on Friday of this week.    I guess next week will still be rough but the end is in site. 

Congrats to:

Cyborg and MamaV on Monday

Kate on Wednesday

Julianna and Janis on Thursday

and I'll be baking cookies for my techs on Friday!

I am not done Thursday although closer.  I believe my last day  is Oct. 1st.  Almost there.

I had a return of the horrible stabbing pain in my chest yesterday.  Spent all day in bed yesterday.  The pain is better today but not the exhaustion.  It has been a frustrating weekend.

Congratulations to all of you who finish this week.  Hurray!!!!

Gosh Kymn that sucks. The one thing you need to concerntrate on is getting a good lawyer so you can take that jerk for every cent he has. Sending you many hugs!

Sounds like a good time for a group hug

LOL Marilee!

sarahbob - The same thing happened to me with a tooth, I was brushing it and a little piece broke off! Never thought to connect it with radiation treatments, though I do remember now my hygenist saying I need to get a letter from the RO for my file saying they can work on my teeth. I had forgotten all about it until I read your post - so much else to think about...

kate - I know you are on the canadian protocol - congrats on almost finishing! I made it through rads and boosts just fine skinwise, I was just a little pink.Thought I was homefree skinwise. About 3-4 days after rads, I developed a rash (found out today its actually folliculitis), then developed a bright red area under the breast and along the chest where the breast touches. That area got really itchy, so nurse suggested I use OTC hydrocortisone cream - wasn't getting better, so I called again and discussed with nurse, we decided it might be fungal, so all weekend I used OTC antifungal. Still had red area this morning, with some skin peeling, so they had me come in. RO says it is a burn, and gave me prescription for silvadene cream. He said that one of the side effects of the Canadian protocol is that the burn can develop up to a week after stopping rads. Just wanted you to be aware of that in case it happens to you.

Kymn I am soooo sorry for you.  Can't believe someone could be suck a jerk!

Congrats Mama V I will be able to celebrate with you Wednesday.

Kymm.....my heart just aches for you!  I do not understand how anyone could be so cruel.  I am so terribly sorry this has happened.  I can only imagine what you are going through.  WSe are all here for you hon.  I know it is not the same, but you have a ton of support here when you need it.  Big hugs to you!

MamaV...HAPPY TIME!!!!!!  Congratulations on ths momumental day! 

Sarah you are so close now.  Halfway is great.  I had number 19 today.  I see a different oncologist tomorrow about this recurring chest pain.  I wish someone knew what it is.  It is scary and twice now I have lost an entire day to it.  Stayed home this time but still, I was not in any shape to function at all.

 Congrats on all of you who are so close!

wow - i couldn't check in for a few days and so much has happened!

Congratulations!!!!!! to those who are finished today and this week.  You've all been at this for so long, and I'm so happy for you.  Cyborg, MamaV, lrw333?, and Kate ---anybody else?

sarahbob - you and I seem to be the Stage III's of the group - extra hugs from me to you for that - and I went to Greensboro College about a million years ago.  I finish right behind you it looks like.  Hang in there, and I will, too!

Thanks to several of you for the encouragement about Tamoxifen.  I really really don't want to do it and have lately felt myself gearing up for that decision making.  but you are right - we can just TRY it!  Many people DON'Tt gain the 10-15 pounds and melt with hot flashes.   I already have hot flashes - especially from 3-7 AM so am not looking forward to more.

Hey everybody - that vitamin D level is important I understand!  If it's low they recommend 10,000 IU of D3 (must be D3) for quite awhile to bring it back up (months).

Big hugs for you Kymn!!!  All I can say is it will be better later.  And for  now, all our hearts are with you!

summergirl - I'm using Miaderm, too.  so far so good at #10 today (of 30).  1/3 done - yay!!!

Hope everybody who's feeling down will feel better soon. Thanks for all the tips on lidocaine, benadryl, etc. 

Love love love to you all - you are a fabulous strong and beautiful group of women!!!

Jeana

Kymn I am so sorry. You have fought cancer and won! You have the strength to survive your husband leaving. A big hug from me.

MamaV I felt the earthquake here in Milwaukee! I knew it was you celebrating. Congrads.

Merilee I want in on that group hug.

Everyone else...you are nearing the finish line and we are all cheering for you.

Cyborg - where are you babe?  I wanna celebrate with you today too!