Any February 2012 radiation gals out there?

Sherrybaby, vent all you want!!!!  It definitely helped me!  That really does suck about the possible delay in your treatment.  I hope that doesn't happen.  I laughed out loud about the strong comment - I feel exactly the same way!  I read this somewhere (surely on this board or someone's blog):  I'm not really strong or brave.  It's not like I ran into a building that's on fire to save others.  I'm running out of it screaming my head off.  LOL Sometimes I tell people that when they make comments about me being so strong - it usually results in a laugh and a nice conversation about how we all do whatever we have to do to survive.  We just don't know what that is until we are put in the situation.  

sherrybaby, my kids gave me a pin at christmas time that has a picture of a woman with a "50s hairdo saying "It's been lovely, but I have to scream now" Want to borrow it?

They also gave me one that says "I have reached the age where happy hour is nap time" They are both very appropriate.

so after complaining about the cheesy videos they were showing in the tx room, today they showed one of a hot air balloon ride over wine country. It reminded me of the ride my dd and I took in Nov and almost made me cry.

Howdy all!

I thought I would share this post:

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/70/topic/783321?page=1#idx_17

I hope the link works. It was written by a RO. It really helped me understand what Radiation does to your skin. Well...the link doesn't work, so please copy and paste into your address bar.



El-Jaye: When did you finish chemo? Are you bald or in the mutant peach fuzz stage? It will come back. I felt just like you when I was Kojak. My hair is about an inch, inch and half long now. I finished chemo 10/06/11. I "style" it into a faux hawk. Although I really don't have much of a choice! I like it though.



Had #21 today. My rash is a little better with the Lotrimin. The RO said it would take a couple of days so it better be all better tomorrow...hee! I am quite tan now, especially at my axillary incision. My foob also has major freckles! I get the bolus everyday. Yippee.

Hello!  My name is Geraldine and I have had two mamo's and two biopsies 2 weeks ago and am having surgery this FRIDAY. On this day I first go to the Breast Center EARLY in the AM for a Radioactive Seed Localization.  Then after 3 hours I go to the hospital and have my Lumpectomy, I think.  After getting in and taking a look will determine weather they just do the lumpectomy, or take the whole breast, so I won't know until I awake, what was done.  I was told then I am to start on radiation treatements right away.  They said it will be either 5x a week for 7 weeks (if lucky) or else 5X a week for 17 weeks or so!  I wasn't really too worried about anything until I started to read these posts!  Now I am really scared!  The Biopsies were very unpleasant (had them both done the same day) and it really wore me out.  I've been sleeping so much (not like me at all normally) and I am liking it and would rather rest or sleep.  Sounds like radiation will make me tired also so looks like I'll be in bed a lot.  Here I was thinking about 2 weeks after surgery I'd be up and around.  Want to be because my new grandson is due March 14th by C-Section and I'll be caring for the others.  They live with us.  One 8 year old and a one year old (just turned).  My hands will be full so I am hoping I won't be too sore, etc.  I am a no frills, down to earth kind of person who just wants to do what I am supposed to do and get it all over with and get on with my life ASAP, but it doesn't sound from reading here that that will be the case.  I still can't believe that I have cancer!  I will stop now and go to bed.  I have only tomorrow to get all my ducks in a row and get done what HAS to be done yet. I will come back to check this place after a few days after surgery and let you know what they did and what they expect of me next.  You all sound so brave and up to date on all your treatements.  No one mentioned any of those things to me....yet!  I hope I can be as knowledgeable on the subject as you all are and able to map out a plan for my recovery.  Thanks!

Geegster - thanks so much for thank link - fascinating!  

gjsquuezebox - welcome to the group.  Although I'm sorry you need to be here, you will find tremendous support on this forum.  Right now you are in the "overwhelming" stage - first couple weeks are the worst.  Hang in there and know that it does get easier to handle, although none of this is ever "easy".  We are all here to help each other through. 

Hi All, checking in before the weekend. I had number 12 today out of 33. I'm starting to get pink. I'm using the bath recipe once a day and the caledula. So far so good. The funny thing today... I'm driving into the hospital parking lot and the security bar came down on my car...really?!!!!! I now have yellow paint on my black car... never a dull moment Have a good day and fight hard!       

Debbie, so sorry to hear about your family. 

I wanted to add that the moisture bath recipe I posted a few days ago, can't prove that it helps the skin, but it sure helps with stress.     

Good Friday Morning,

For all of you already doing radiation, I am guessing Fridays are a relief for you to have the weekend off.  After 7 months of knowing I will need radiation, I finally have my schedule and will be starting March 12th.  Two days ago I went for the mapping and simulation, which took only about 30 minutes.  Prior to that I had an exam and consultatin with my radiation oncologist.  My tattoos are only small little pinhead black spots that are actually hard to find.  I asked if that was all there was to it and they said yes.  My oncologist was reassuring about avoiding heart and lungs but said there is a slight chance that it can happen.  He said in his 30 years of practice he has not seen it. 

I was also told not to use any lotions and if I start to become sore or burned, they will recommend what to use.  They were quite stern about that.  They recommended Dove soap only for washing with. 

So here we go.  gjsqueezebox - we all know how you are feeling right now as it is all beginning for you.  People keep telling me how strong and courageous I am and it gets to the point where I don't want to hear those words.  They do not know what is going on inside my brain and body and I feel I am only doing what has to be done.  I don't feel strong.  I still feel pissed off and guilty for what is happening to my body.  I wonder if any of you felt vulnerable between chemo and radiation when it seems we are not doing anything to fight this disease.  I have been feeling that way.  Like it is getting a chance to take hold again.  My social worker who came to chat with me while in the "chair" says that is very normal for patients to feel vulnerable when they are all done treatments and there are support groups for those people.  I live so remotely I would not go to a support group but find comfort right here on this forum.

Sorry we all have to be here but so grateful at the same time for the support.  Ten more days and we have to move out of our comfortable home (boo hoo).  This too shall pass.  Enjoy your radiation-free weekend.  Allagashmaggie

TGIF,  Certainly takes on a whole new meaning. I'm about to get on the boat, but am happy that I get two days off. And my son is coming home for spring break on Sat. So he will bring some cheer (and two friends) but it will be distracting and bring energy into the house. This afternoon I am having a chest xray. Never ending doc appts.

sherry, where do I send the button lol, we could have a lending library. I too have lots of encouragment from people I don't know, most of all from the drivers of the Road to Recovery program that pick me up from the boat and drive me to the center and back. 

gjsqueezebox, also in your pocket for your long day. I have been so tired ever since dx (actually before) I got through the surgery and now my job is to take care of myself. It is real hard for me to accept help and just rest. So let yourself heal. 

hello to everyone else, have to run now, boats have schedules and so do rads.

love to you all

 Nancy 

Sherry - I loved the "kindness of stranger/sister warrior" hug.  I had a man greet me in the grocery store parking lot a while back, when I had a hat on instead of a wig.  He waved to me and said something to the effect of "hang in there my dear" ... maybe his wife, or mom, was a survivor and he knew what he was looking at.  It made me smile, but also made me cry, if that makes any sense. 

And all ... I am constantly amazed by the varying instructions about how to treat the skin during radiation.  I read a comment on one of the boards from a lady in Germany who said in that area they tell them nothing but baby powder ... someone here today said no moisturizer at all ... my doc is cool with about anything.  Everybody's skin reacts differently, just like people can have different SE from the same chemo cocktail.  There are no cut & dried, hard & fast rules with this awful journey.  You just get through it the best you can.

I had my 2nd boost this morning at 8, and will have the 3rd at 4 today. 

Swim  up bar ... swim up bar ... swim up bar ... Yeah. 

Debbie

gjsqueezebox- Speedy Recovery and best wishes for an easy surgery! 

Here is another "random act of kindness" story:

 Last night in the grocery store parking lot, my husband and I were "gifting" all the empty bottles in our car to a homeless gentleman.  We see him in the parking lot about once a week and every week we give him the bottles and he lets me know how his sobriety is going. (we have been doing this for about 5 years now).  What made last night different, was while I was helping him load up his cart, another homeless gentleman (whom I had bought coffee for earlier) came up to me and asked me if I had cancer.  The head scarf kinda gives me away.  I told him I was almost finished my treatment and he asked me if I would be ok if he prayed for me.  Told me he was a cancer survivor himself and wanted me to know that people cared.  What a blessing!  Here he is in a tough financial place, probably battling some sort of addiction or mental illness and he cared enough to care about me!  Brought tears to my eyes!  

Hope you all have a restful weekend full of healing!  Here's hoping my skin heals up before monday!

dancetrancer - Hope you enjoyed Wicked!  I saw it with my daughter a year ago and it was awesome! 

Sorry that the fatigue is so bad.  The good news is after this is all over and our bodies have a chance to heal, the energy will come back!  

The fatigue was my biggest complaint during chemo.  That, and the digestive tract disruption.  I never thought you could feel THAT tired ... you cannot explain it to an outsider.

Jean, I think how soon you start anti-hormonals is variable based upon your doc.  I was reading about this as well.  Some start it even while you are on rads, but it seems most start it afterwards - pretty soon (seemed like most posts said within a week or so).  I'm so sorry you are feeling so tired...I can see how it could progress. :-(  Hang in there, you are almost  there!