Radiation recovery

Thats funny. I had to wait on my presciption too.. Mine are 10 mg... I have not worn a bra since surgery.  Thank God I did not have a co-pay. That is a lot of money

bb my sis has BC as well. She is stage 3. It is rough . Sending Hugs and Prayers. Hoping for a good outcome. BC is just evil...

A little over a week out from rads and I'm doing great.   Most of my redness is gone.  I still have a little bit but it is getting better every day.    I meet with my PS a week from Monday so he can take a look and we can discuss when to plan my exchange surgery.   Glad to be moving forward!

I am 11 days post rads and I still have a rash, and I am very red in the boost area/ When will this redness go away? Janis I am glad that you are just about to join us at the after rads party.

Ann you are right about radiation is the gift that keeps on giving. 11 days post rads and my boost area is redder than it ever was. I am not sore or blistering or peeling so I am happy about that. I am struggling about whether or not to take Tamoxifen. It is not a necessity in my case, but it would reduce my chance of getting a different breast cancer by about 2.5%. I hate taking meds because I hate side effects, and that is why I am struggling about whether to take it or not. The two side effects I am most concerned about is hair shedding and night sweats. I already have trouble sleeping, and if I got night sweats I would never be able to fall back asleep. I had a condition called Telogen Effluvium which causes your hair to shed. That was a terrible experience. It is cured now, and I don't want to go through that again. I know this must be difficult for you ladies who did chemo to understand, and I feel for you. I was blessed that I did not have to take it. One of the main reasons I am concerned about hair shedding is because I am single. I need to go out and find Mr. Right and hair shedding would not help.

Hi everyone,

If I got paid for worrying, I would be a millionaire!  On Sept. 24, I celebrated one month post rads.  My skin is all right, but I still get tired easily.  Not looking forward to seeing RO this week for post rads check.  The sooner I am done with him, the better I will feel emotionally.  It was nice having a break from Dr. appointments, but the journey continues and I will see two docs next week.  So far, I have taken two Arimidex pills.  I am nervous about SE's, but it is good to know that the pills are fighting a BC recurrence. 

Kate...I also have Tellogen Effliviam.  I just refuse to worry about further hair shedding.  I realize I am married and not looking, but even if I was........I would not let that bother me.  When I met my DH 9 years ago, he loved me for ME.  Not outside.  For me, Mr. Right was kind and sincere and loving and accepted me, flaws and all.  Just my two cents but really, character is so important to me.  My first husband was very drawn to physical beauty and cheated a lot.  I tolerated it for many years until I finally filed for divorce.  He has grown and matured and wishes we had never divorced.  Don 't get me wrong, I wear make-up and try to look good for my husband always.  Still, it is me that he loves.  That is my favorite quality in a man...sincere character.  You don't have a permanent relationship with a face and body.  You have it with a soul!  Mr Right should love you with thinning hair and all.  It is a medical condition!  If I had needed chemo, DH would have cherished me bald.  That to me defines love......

ann, yes, my rads area is really sore.  My nipple area has peeled many times.  The underarm is the worst now (although nipple not great) as it hurts and "pulls" and sometimes sends me into orbit with the pain!  This has by far been the worst of this whole ordeal.  Sleeping is very bad.  Three more boosts though and then I can really let the healing begin.  Now if I can just get the burns all healed!  Doing great otherwise despite this mess.

Irw....congrats on being two weeks post rads now!  I'll follow your progress with my burns.  It has to stop sometime and just heal, doesn't it?  I am glad to hear the pain is getting better for you!

Elizabeth, I will be taking Arimidex as well.  Like you I am concerned about SE's, but fear cancer more so will take my meds.  i see my MO on the 13th and assume he will start me on it then. 

damazon......oh hon, you poor thing!  Try hard not to let the worry consume you.  I know this is tough, but remember all of these rad SE's will go away.  My nipple feels like a chunk of concrete right now, but I know this is temporary!  I have read so many threads here, radiation is tough but SE's do go away!  I know it may not seem like it now, but it will get better.  Skin renews itself.......yours will not be as you fear.  Trust me, this too shall pass.  I know it may not feel like it at the moment but it will get better.  Do not let fear of recurrance worry you either.  This is a journey, and there may be obstacles along the way, but we prevail.  Enjoy the good things out there.  Focus on the positive.  There is joy all around us.  Deep breaths, one day at a time.  It will be okay.  Vent away here.  You are among friends!

Big hugs ladies........we are stronger than we know!!!!

Kate....I am so sorry and hope I did not offend you.  I just really believe that people shine from within.  Of course you want a man with great character!  I want that for you too.  Just don't sell yourself short.  Your confidence should be from the woman you are inside.  Sorry if I came across rude Kate.  You will do great.  Go knock their socks off !!!  Just remember....you have fiought cancer, and found strength from within to do this battle.  Never sell yourself short.  You glow from within! 

Good girl Kate...keep glowing.  I think you shine, and I think this quality will help you in your journey ahead.  Glad you see this in yourself too! 

tam you are so close!   You never yave to leave here.  Stick around please.  You are already here!  Enjoy the ride!

Glad to see you again Merilee and congrats on everyone who is finished or still fighting the fight.  I am 2 weeks out from Rads today and noticed this morning getting out of the shower that my skin is about back to it's normal color.  Peeling just a bit, but nothing painful.  Glad to have this behind me!  Here's too healthy healing skin for all!  Still a bit tired (fell asleep 3 times watching the Bears game yesterday ha ha), but hanging in there!  Hugs to all!

Merilee and Mamav I am glad you are both doing well. Today I am 12 days post rads. I am still quite red and I have a rash, but no pain, peeling or blistering.

Welcome back online, Merilee.  I cry easily now, too.  It is probably a combination of many things--gratitude, fear, fatigue.  For now, rest, recover, and rejoice.

Sue, mine swelled during rads, but is back down now.  I was quite lopsided for a bit! 

Congrats Sue 53 and Janis. Just a couple of more days Janis and you will finally join our after rads party.

Congradulations Sue!!!

I have been putting Hydrogen peroxide on my burn. Merilee mentioned it to me and I tried it. Really helps taking the heat out and if your peeling it helps get the dead skin off. I only did this *AFTER RADS*.  I also *Finally got some silvaden (sp) burn cream to use. It is wonderful... I hope everyone is doing well today. Thinking of you all...