January 2012 rads

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited March 2012

    Banba, all the lutfisk goes to Greece ;) Seriously, the Greeks still eat it in vast quantities, and Norwegian lutfisk is considered the best. I have to say though that the Greek ways of cooking it are vastly superior to the rather scary Scandi ways.

    Did you know, by the way, that the orginal Eggs Benedict were served not on an english muffin or toast, but on a pure of salt cod.

    What is NIA class? 

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  • anafoefana
    anafoefana Member Posts: 164
    edited March 2012

    Ralston, hoping you are better soon.  I am sorry you are having such a hard time!

    Ossa, you are so right about the support and understanding.  The people around me feel that I am better now and life can go on as if nothing happened. I try not to make an issue of my cancer, but life is never going to be the same. 

    Banba, yes.. still cooking although not painful.  I can feel it and it is uncomfortable, but it doesn't really hurt. 

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  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 919
    edited March 2012

    NWArt.. When you go to Norway you MUSt go to my hometown of Bergen,, The most beatiful city on the world.. Northern Norway is also very nice.. the fjords, glaciers etc... When you are ready to go I can deff. give you some ideas.. My niece also works for the turist info in Bergen and she can help you with arrangements if you like

    Banba..

    No problem getting fresh salmon as my DH used to be a commercial fisherman.. now an avid sports fisher.. Lots of fresh Salmon coming home in the summer.. As for lutefisk,,, yuck,, don't like it.. But do miss proper salted cod, Pale and the many varieties of white fish.. I have even found a butcher that will make my lamb ribs for my traditional Norwegian Christmas.. Now if I could only get proper brown cheese life would be good... Had 9 family members here last summer and they all brought me brown cheese, "kaviar" Norwegian (ok maybe Swedish) mustard MMMMM it was like I had won the lottery

    I find I am looking forward to tomorrow because IT IS MY LAST TREATMENT (not yellng,, singingSurprised)

    I hope you all heal well ladies.. 

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  • NWArtLady
    NWArtLady Member Posts: 360
    edited March 2012
    Last treatment!!  Those are wonderful words Ossa!! Smile
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  • Ralsper
    Ralsper Member Posts: 352
    edited March 2012

    Momine - I have gel sheets (I think are the same). I used them last night, but they moisten so much my wound that it doesn't heal. The problem is that I do not have any skin any more on my torso  and my underam. During the day I clean the oozing fluids with domedoro and apply a thin coat of Silvadene, it dries out during the day, but at night it gets moist with or without the gel sheet with the oozing. I will call the nurse tomorrow, because also my chest muscles are totally cramped, I have taken more pain killers than I took after the mastectomy, and my arm feels numb again. Thank you!

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited March 2012

    Ugh, Ralston, that does sound nasty. You are right that the gel keeps the wound moist, but it is healing from underneath at the same time. After 3 days with the gel the wounds are much, much smaller. I hope the nurse can help you.

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  • J-Bug
    J-Bug Member Posts: 626
    edited March 2012

    Ralston, I think with all the things that I tried, when I got into the area of treatment that was like yours, Silvadene 2-3 times a day with nothing on but a little time with a fan worked the best. Can you take a day or two off to lay across the bed or couch with a movie going just to heal up? 

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  • bgirl
    bgirl Member Posts: 538
    edited March 2012

    Ralston - sorry you are having such a hard time, I hope things get much better soon.  Sending healing thoughts your way.

    Ossa - congrats - happy singing dance to you.

    Glad to see most are reaching the end.  Finished a little over 2 weeks ago, a couple of days later I was shocked at how bad it got, but it is healing well now, so there is a light at the end of the tunnel even if it is hard to see right now.

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  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 919
    edited March 2012
    I am officially DONE... last rad today.. Got lots of hugs when I was done,, Now just Herceptin until July.. and new foob when I have healed from radsLaughing
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  • msmouse
    msmouse Member Posts: 60
    edited March 2012

    Yeah Ossa!

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  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,591
    edited March 2012

    yeah to you OSSA!!!  I found out today that I only have 2 more regualr tx then the last 7 are boosts.  Doc says skin looks amazingly well!  Feeling good about how it is going and just wishing it were all done. 

    Maggie

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  • twistedsteel
    twistedsteel Member Posts: 156
    edited March 2012

    No one going on to Xeloda like me?

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  • bojo
    bojo Member Posts: 74
    edited March 2012

    ALL DONE!!  Good Luck to everyone!

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  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 919
    edited March 2012

    Twistedsteel..

    Why are you getting Xeloda,

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  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 919
    edited March 2012

    woohoo bojo,, feels good doesn't it

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  • Ralsper
    Ralsper Member Posts: 352
    edited March 2012

    Thank you! I think I never really understood the real meaning of "radiation burns"... I never expected my skin burning so bad that it will look like a piece of paper lighted by a match... I never imagine my body will ooze so bad that my arm will be "glued" to my torso every morning. When I read other women talking about peeling and wounds, I never really imagine how bad it looks...Peeling is more like loosing chunks of skin with flesh attached... I look like a survivor after a nuclear attack! I was really never prepared for this, although they told me it was going to happen. I do have severe burns under my arm (sentinal node scar) and under the breast. So bad, that all of the skin has come off in these areas. They are now open and pink and I'm just waiting for them to heal. Using wound wash, domeboro soaks, and silvadene. I pray this all clears up soon-- under my arm is the worst as it's a big open, pink area about 6 inches
    across. Blech.

    The RO's say that this is ok and will just take time to heal. It has been one week since I finished radiation and these burns didn't happen until right up to the last week of treatment. I am all set to HEAL now. I was "ordered" to do one week of bed rest, arm elevated on the back of the couch as much as possible (but the muscles of my arm, chest and back are a mess for having the arm elevated all the time and it hurts. Also nobody told me that could happen). I just want this burn gone for good. So I am home, braless, drying my skin with a fan, and I am not going anywhere for awhile. Let the healing begin!

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  • chef127
    chef127 Member Posts: 891
    edited March 2012

    Ossa & bojo...........CONGRATES............Life is good.

    One more boost for me and I'm out! My skin has held up fairly well.

    Ralston,

    I hope your not suffering too much, but it sounds like the rads did some real damage. The healing will hopefully start now. I'm pretty much healed already except for the scar area. Hang in there and get everyone to cater to your every wish. (((())))

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  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 919
    edited March 2012

    Ralston (((((gentle hug))))) A friend told me to walk around carrying a soccerball, football or basketball under your arm.. arm does not get tired this way..

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  • newksmom100
    newksmom100 Member Posts: 55
    edited March 2012

    Ossa & bojo - Congrats.  Ralston - so, so sorry for all the pain and crap you have been through.  Hope like hell the turnaround is near.

    Last boost tomorrow.  Don't know whether to laugh or cry.  Honestly, I feel a little emotional, like I have run a marathon.  It also happens to be the anniversay of my mother's death and I'm taking it as a sign that she has been with me through this journey. 

    RO mentioned last week that my entire body will be extra sensitive to the sun and to be generous with the sunscreen and wear a hat for the rest of the year.  Has anyone else heard that?  I hate hats, but....Cool

    Hugs to all.

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  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 919
    edited March 2012

    newks..

    Was told my treated area would be sensitive to sun.. nothing about the rest of my body.. I am sure your mom has been with you on this journey.. I have had many conversations with my mom during my journey.. Have felt her presence when I needed her ((Hugs))

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  • twistedsteel
    twistedsteel Member Posts: 156
    edited March 2012

    Ossa, I am getting Xeloda bc I had locally advanced tumor that was large. MO told me after surgical pathology report that he wanted me on 3 mo's of Xeloda after rads were done. Well actually MO and RO wanted me on low dose of Xeloda while getting rads. I declined. In last appt w RO, he said I made a good choice bc my skin was like what Ralston describes.



    Ralston, please look into Xeroform dressings. After silvadene I covered wound w a xeroform bandage and then covered that with a nonstick bandage and then wrapped it to my body w a medical ace bandage around my trunk. It helped mynwound heal quickly. Then I stopped and the healing slowed down. RO had me start up again at least overnight bc he said that having a moist environment helps it heal... Helps skin grow faster. I think the oozing might be a way for the skin to try and stay moist. The xeroform is fine gauze impregnated w petrolatum and bismuth (which acts as an antiseptic.) I cannot tell you how much better my wound got very quickly after I started using it again.



    Again, I use emu oil, then silvadene on open oozies, then xeroform over that, then non stick bandage... All wrapped to my torso w a medical ace bandage. Meaning there is Velcro on both ends to help it stay on.



    In did search on Walgreens website for xeroform and found the only local store that carried it. They are expensive but I could swing it and have not regretted it.



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  • Ralsper
    Ralsper Member Posts: 352
    edited March 2012

    Twisteedsteel - Thank you so much!! It makes a lot of sense, because I can't sleep with my arm over my head, besides I am taking Tamoxifen, so definitely I can't be sit down or on bed all day, and walking with my arm over my head it's too painful. My wounds look terrible. The dry oozing combined with the silvadene and blood looks disgusting, like the wounds from the "walking dead'... Anyway, thank you again for the tip!

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  • newksmom100
    newksmom100 Member Posts: 55
    edited March 2012
    DONE!  Laughing
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  • Kayce234
    Kayce234 Member Posts: 249
    edited March 2012

    D-O-N-E!!!

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  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 919
    edited March 2012

    newksmom, Kayce.. Woooohooooo....

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  • tnhelen
    tnhelen Member Posts: 63
    edited March 2012

    Three weeks out and still have a burning but not as bad.  Lost the pigmentation in the dark skin around the nipple and am wondering if it will return.  Fatigue that comes in  waves but are getting better.  I think the tamoxifen is causing some leg cramps and brain fog - I hope it's the medication.

    Ralston - I am so sorry about your burns.  I had to quit for a couple of days.  I don't know of any way to explain radiation burns to anyone that hasn't gone through it.  It is so different.  I used the gel pads and my skin would just suck up the gel in no time and the pads would be completely dry.  But it does get better - I know, I didn't believe it either.  My pain meds really helped me through it.

    Ossa and bojo - CONGRATULATIONS!  Two more on the list!

    Everyone else - hope everything is going well for you and everyone is healing or getting closer to healing.  I am going on a trip to Washington DC with my grandson's school the 17th.  Wish me luck - this could be a deal breaker for me.  But I figure with 80 kids to get through the attractions - how fast can they be?  Maybe I can keep up with them.  Guess I can always sleep in the back of the bus.

    Hugs,

    Helen

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  • chef127
    chef127 Member Posts: 891
    edited March 2012

    OVER AND OUT.................I'm done with tx's but will visit the MO just for a bone density test. NO AI's for me. I'll see my BS next week to get the next course of action for tests and imaging. Then hoping for some normalcy.(wiping the sweat from my brow) I want to let go of BC but I'm afraid its with me forever????????

    My experience with rads with a good one. I loved the crew at the facility and will miss them, my skin looks 'good' but the nurse told me to expect the skin to continue to chage for 2-3 weeks. My RO seemed distracted and aloof. He's lucky to have a great crew behind him and his million $ salary. Saw him every Monday and he would say "do you have any questions, NO" all in one breath. I asked him why was my ass itchy?lol

    tnHelen, ENJOY DC with the 80 kids. ENJOY and 80 kids in one sentance? Thats a challenge, but it should get you going++++++++++

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  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 919
    edited March 2012

    YAY Chef.. welcome to the DONE sideCool

    tnHelen.. Have a great trip with your grandson.. Sounds like... fun???

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  • NWArtLady
    NWArtLady Member Posts: 360
    edited March 2012

    I like that Ossa, "Welcome to the DONE side"!!  Congrats to the ladies who are done!!  And happy healing for all of us. 

    To those who are still in treatment, here's to finishing soon!

    You guys rock! Cool

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  • chef127
    chef127 Member Posts: 891
    edited March 2012

    I went to see my PCP on Tues after my last tx. and he ran some tests on my diabetes. my 3 month test was 8.7 VERY high and my blood glucose was 375.......OMG.

    I came home and reseached Rad and diabetes and apparently the rads can cause diabetes and the high levels.....WTF. Why didn't the RO warn me? He had my med records and my meds. Is he out of touch and doesn't know about this SE? ignorant? or just doesn't like to admit to all the SE's.

     Has anyone else have this happen?

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