January 2012 rads

Yesterday I saw my RO for the last time - it feels so weird to say that - I had my final checkup, and he discharged me.  Said it was healing very nicely, and if I ever needed anything to call him, but he didn't need to see me any more.

One down, 3 drs to go... LOL...can't wait til I'm done with the MO and the 2 surgeons, but since the exchange is 6 months down the road, that'll take some time I guess.

congrats to those finishing - wish you all speedy healing.

I have had my ups and downs with tamox, but seem to be leveling out after almost 3 months on.

Thanks Ossa! One day post rads and my skin is already less pink.  

Thanks Wise Sara - I'm sure that's it.  We have all been through the ringer, as they say.

Hello everyone!

I finished RADS on Tuesday! Whoo hoo!!!  

I am so freaking tired, I can hardly stay awake.  I have been off work for 2 and 1/2 weeks, and will take another week off to rest up.  But, I am weary of starting work and then not being able to perform well (This job requires lots of physical work).  I will just take it day to day next week and if I'm not feeling any better by Wednesday, I will ask for one more week (Then there's Spring break for a week after that).  I hope I'm not being a wimp about this, biut I have never been this tired in my life!  I feel like I did when I gave birth!

 Burning and raw patches of skin are not helping any either!

Congrats to everyone on finishing. 

Hi everyone,

for the past few days I have had something strange happening with my right leg.  At times, it just "gives out", or goes out from under me. I have nealry falled three times.  Today, I fell down some steps in our house (really scary) and landed face first.  Thank God the floor was carpeted. There is no warning and it doesn't hurt.  But now, as I write this, my leg seems cold and is going numb.

 Anyone know what this could be?  Could it be associated with my Cancer?  I did have a "Bone Island" on my Spine between T11 and T12.  After a PET Scan, and two MRI's, they determined that it was benign.  They took a long time to come to a consensus on it, with some Doctors feeling it was part of the Breast Cancer.  I feel so paranoid.

 Any thoughts? 

 I called the Doctor and will see her tomorrow.  I think it is related to the Bone Island perhaps pinching a nerve.  They said I will probably need another MRI to see what's wrong.  Oh Joy!

itsjustme10: That's funny that your RO discharged you. That is what I was expecting and then mine at my visit on Friday said that she wanted to continue to follow up with me twice a year to be sure there was nothing else going on.

Ardychan: Best wishes! I am following up on my PET scan tomorrow with my MO, due to high alk phos levels. I can relate to the worry. 

Went to see my PS today. Two weeks past rads.. Fully expected him to say see you in six months for exchange surgery, but no.... He said my foob looks great ( don't hear that every day) and said I can be fast tracked for my exchange surgery. He asked whet I had been using during rads and I told him Glaxal Base and Saline soaks and as soon as rads were done I switched to Emu oil ( thanks Anafoefana) He was quite interested in the Emu oil,, wanted to know where I got it etc,, Thinking he might start recommending it to his patients,.. I also got some Latisse today.. sick of my stubby little eyelashes.. Expensive, but I decided to treat myself

Hi all.  Congrats to all who recently finished.  It is great to be done with another hurdle isn't it?

Ossa, glad the Emu oil worked so well for you.  I think it made a difference for me as well.  I have been using Latisse for 4 weeks and just started seeing some results.  The few eyelashes that returned fell out again a few weeks ago.  I am definitely seeing some growth now though.  I know what you mean about the stubby eyelashes.  By the way, I read that Latisse only works while you are using it. 

Chef, I feel better this week, but I agree, the fatigue has been worse for me after finishing.  I am not as tired this week anymore. 

itsjustme, My RO said to come back in 3 months and then every 6 months.  

JBug, how did things go with your MO?  I hope all is well!

Congrats to all who have finished!!!  Was wondering how everyone is feeling from surgery?  Had mine Dec 8 and I still have a ton of soreness and can't seem to do things like rake, lift alot or do anything that takes a strong effort with my left arm.  Still getting pain in Lymph area and in partial mastectomy area

Hello Ladies,

So happy to hear everyone is doing well post rads. I'm still fatigued but I don't have to go to work everyday so its not so bad. I would really love to go back to work and be productive again..and get a pay check. SS barely covers my monthly expenses and the money will proberbly run out before..........I have a finished basement I could rent out but I don't like the idea of a stranger here all the time. My DD just informed me she is moving out, she is 25 and said it time to be independant. She's right.

I went to a Woman to Woman support group the other night and it was nice to see and talk w other woman facing all this treatment. We talked about chemo and I was asked why I didn't do chemo and I jokingly said "I didn;t want to lose my eyelashes" They jumped all over me....I was trying to have a sense of humor, but I do love mascara. Hoping your lashes come back thick and long.

I'm going to see a PS soon to have my other tata reduced. I'm really lopsided. I can't tell if the rad side is swollen. If it is I think I should wait till it relaxes???????? I was told it could shrink after time. I'll see my BS next week I hope he can tell.

Arimidex, scary. I Like my estrogen.........Farwell womanhood.

msmouse...My sister just purchased a house in Henderson. She loves the area. I'm going there soon for a visit.

Happy the rads are behind us.....................Maureen

Kayce, I am in the same boat as you.  My surgery was Dec 5th and I am still tender where the tumor was and in the underarm area.  Carrying anything too heavy with my left arm is tough (I try to be careful of too much weight)  and bending over brings pain (putting my shoes on, drying my legs and feet after my shower). 

Chef, At diagnosis I started making jokes about being thankful the cancer was in the bigger boob.  NOW after surgery and rads, I really am thankful as the shrinkage is starting to really be noticable.  Probably because swelling is going down as well.  I can really tell in bed at night.  Much less there to "protect".  Hope it does not get too much smaller as I never had an excess to begin with.  LOL

I started Tamox three days ago and originally came here tonight to read that forum looking for SE.  I have been peeing like CRAZY the last couple of days and wondered if Tamox is to blame.  :-)  Of course everything that happens now I blame on cancer or cancer treatment.  :-) 

Take care ladies.  I've said it before and I will say it again.  I'm so glad to have you here.  It's been a blessing and so helpful to share with others going through the same thing at the same time as me.

Get the lopsided thing.  Unfortunately mine was in my smaller breast (always been 1/2 a cup lesss).  Lump was supposed to be about 2 cm, ended up being 4cmx5cmx2cm deep pancake.  More than originally thought because of biopsy reaction.  So much smaller and seeming to continue to shrink post rads.  Having trouble finding a bra that sort of covers without big gap and doesn't dig in.  Anyone find anything yet?

When I saw RO this week, she said will do first mamo in Sept and then I will see her after.  See my MO in June for follow-up (saw him in Dec).  So I guess they alternate every 3 months for first year.

anafoefana: Thanks for asking. I am doing well. I just forgot to post my results here. I just heard this week that the PET came back clean. I was concerned because I have two other benign tumors, one in spine and one in pelvis. I went through five biopsies before I started treatment.

I just had a completely crazy week with 2 doctor appointments, 3 job interviews and over 40 hours of work, and will be working all weekend too. Can't wait to hit the pillow for more than five hours in a row!