November 2011 Rads

I had my last boost today!! Whoo Hoo!!! It was pretty uneventful. All three techs were there. I just gave them a hug and they gave me a "Brave Heart" award certificate. No bells to ring there. I went to the dressing room and immediately took off my stickers. What a great feeling that was. I'm really tired today (which is the first for me). Too tired to celebrate so I'm going out tomorrow night with co-workers after work.

NATTERS - Maybe you should ask for a day off rads tomorrow, especially with the skin issues. The week off I had was the best thing I could have done even though it took longer to finsh.  That way you don't have to stress out about leaving your partner alone and will be giving your skin a break at the same time. I think it was just the break from rads and not the soaks that really helped my skin heal. Good luck in whatever you decide........you'll be done soon as well!

 Darn rad machines - I called my center yesterday a.m. to be sure the machine was working as it had been down. They told me it was working at that time. I made the one-hour drive to rads, was greeted at the desk, and was never informed that the machine was down.  I waited an hour, but decided that I would not ask the receptionist about the back-up until two hours. By the two-hour point, I was crawling out of my skin. The rad waiting room is such a depressing place - two hours there was way too much. Just as I was about to say forget it and leave, I was called back. I waited another half-hour in the back, and was finally treated. 

I felt badly for the techs as they looked frazzled - They were also complaining as they would have to be at work much later than usual. I was proud of myself for not walking out at the two-hour mark and also for not asking why the heck someone did not come out and explain the break-down to all of us who were waiting.  The good news is that it is raining in the Adirondacks - not freezing rain and not snow. Yea! 

Mrs Mot, your skin color doesn't matter because some of those with darker skin got bright red and then had skin issues....you might still finish out without any problems by my 11th I was bright red, itchy, very swollen and tender - never mind my Mediterranean olive skin. Fingers crossed you don't get too many other SEs!



ananda - that sucks big, hairy doggy bones! You are SO patient. I agree that the waiting room is super depressing. It is strangely warm here, too. Almost 60F here later today - in Dec?!



Nat, who drove to rads when they took her partner down for anesthesia and managed to get tx #29 and drive back before her operation even started! So glad that I didn't miss anything because they told me the surgeon only has a small window of time to tell me how the operation went. in the hospital gift shop, I bought the People mag with Giuliana Rancic's story to read in the Family Lounge.

Natters - so glad your timing worked out for you and your partner. It's such a surprise these days when something works out well, isn't it? I hope both of your recoveries are rapid and complete.

There was a lady called katehudson who finished last month who had no problems- a blonde fair-skinned lady, actually. She came back to tell our group that she did 30-some treatments and didn't have anything worse than pink skin. We're all different so it's hard to predict. For that reason, my RO and his nurse could not give me a timeline for my skin improving or the swelling going down.

Big congrats to everyone who is finished with their rads !

... And so am I. I went there this morning for my third boost out of 8. The doctor looked at my radiated area because I was afraid it might be infected. It wasn't, but it is quite painful and doesn't look good. The doctor got the doctor-in-chief (or whatever it's called – I mean, her boss) to look at it, and he said: "I think we should interrupt this now". I was so relieved I almost started to cry.

It feels strange … but most of all relieving!

Natters - glad it all worked out for you and you will be able to talk to the doctor after surgery. Hope you have someone who can help take care of both of you post op. I understand the being sick of doctors...in fact I will be back at the RO today for them to check out my skin. Happy to report that most of the redness is gone, most of the sores are pretty healed up and pretty much all that is left is really flakey, dry skin. So there is hope. My RO said they normally tell people that it takes as long for the skin to heal as it did for the treatments.That may give you a guide.

Anandagram - I am so sorry that you have had such an ordeal with your rads appointments. I am sure that it not only has to be frustrating but you must also wonder if the machine is working properly when you do have your rads! You must be hating this.

Mandalala - Does that mean they are going to stop all together and forget the last 5 boosts or that they are giving you a break? Either way, I hope you heal quickly

Congratulations, Mandalala!!!



Thank you for the tip about healing time, kadajay, although I'm hoping mine is faster...7 weeks more of this?!



Joan, hang in there and try not to look too far ahead and get overwhelmed. Just think how nice it'll be next weekend, eating wand celebrating with your family.



I am SO glad to be home from the hospital. My patient is doing well although she is in pain, now that the nerve block is wearing off. Her mom came to visit and brought us donuts. Tomorrow, I have friends coming over with an ice cream cake to celebrate the end of rads with cake and champagne. At least one good thing this week.



I've started reading a book called "After Breast Cancer" that is pretty informative.

Mandala-congrats on being done.  Sorry it is because you are hurting.  I hope it will all heal quickly for you.

Kdjay-congrats to you too.  Glad to hear the skin is looking better and the lump is nothing to worry about.

Natters-So glad your partner is doing well and you are done.  Have a piece of cake for me will you? Who is the author of the book about after breast cancer.  Let us all know what you think of it.

I had number 20 today. Only 10 more to go.  I was glad to find out that the center was only taking one day off for Christmas and that New Years they would be closed the day after so I won't have to go into January.  So far my skin isn't doing too bad.  The top center part of my chest is the reddest with little bumps all over it.  My RO says that's due to little hair follicles there.  Hopefully it won't turn into blisters. 

Hubby has tomorrow off.  I'm hoping the weather stays nice and we can head to the beach.

Have a great weekend everyone. 

nans - The book is After Breast Cancer - A Common Sense Guide to Life after Treatment by Hester Hill Schnipper who worked with breast cancer patients in the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston (along with her husband who is an oncologist). When she contracted breast cancer, she realized that there wasn't information out there for the ...what happens next? after treatment.

 I have only just started reading this book but liked the statement that she made that we are never really the same after BC even though other people, (friends, family, spouses, etc.) think that once treatment is over we should just go back to life as usual.

Hello everyone--I haven't been on the boards for awhile. Just thinking about you all and creeping my way through rads--my last will be Jan 11.



Natters--Does your center have any social/food, etc supports for cancer patients? If you haven't asked, I suggest that you do. You and your partner could use some help, I think.



Take care everyone.

Hi all,

I've been falling asleep before I read through the posts...very tired.
I am HALF WAY -- yay!  Got very emotional today, guess it is the process and the season....
So, after  'flawless' 3 weeks, today the machine malfunctioned after my x-rays and 2 zaps.  I had to get up, change rooms, get realigned and get 2 more zaps.  I was dizzy from the table motion.
Nans -- I have the same rash, pink/red round raised spots over my left center, close to the focus or the rads.  I have looked carefully and some are blisters; some break and get flat.  No pain yet - just ITCH like poison ivy.  My R.O. prescribed steroidal cream plus aquaphor.

flautalee -- Im on about the same schedule.  How is your skin holding up?

Mandalala -- glad to hear you are finished.  Hope you heal quickly.
Nat--when are you done??

Eeeks it's 2 AM....nite all.
((((HUGS))))
Joan

I'm DONE!!!!!  It has been hard and emotional and at the very end, I had to nurse my partner after surgery but we did take a couple hours to celebrate last night. Well, she slept through some of the celebration after taking some oxycodone and was not able to partake in the champagne - but I did indulge. My friends brought over this big ice cream cake and some more wine: 

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/9/lastdayofrads.jpg/

My partner encouraged me to have a few people over and mark this important day. My skin still seems to be "cooking" but the RO's nurse thought things might turn around for me by the end of next week. Here's hoping she's right. I got a massage for the first time since I started rads this morning and I was afraid about not being to lie on my stomach but they used a giant pregnancy pillow covered in a soft towel and that worked out pretty well

They wanted me to come back in a month but I told them I declared Jan 2012 a doctor-free zone. I am going to refocus my life on everything else that is important to me and try not to think about breast cancer. I scheduled a follow-up for Fe b 3rd and they were Ok with that. My RO told me that I'll stop seeing the other DRs after a couple years but he will continue to see me for 5 years? That seems weird to me but whatever. I figure if he gives me a breast exam, he will know the difference between scar tissue and fibrosis from surgery and rads vs worrying lumps and bumps that need biopsy. 

Nat