Any February 2012 radiation gals out there?

Geegster -- congratulations on finishing and on your news!!!!

Congratulations Geegster. You're a trouper. I can imagine the conflicted feelings you have; you expressed them well.

And Bak94, maybe you'll end up in a job you like better? I had a lumpectomy a few years ago for what turned out to be (and was expected to be) a benign fibroadenoma, and even though I wasn't too worried, I remember thinking immediately, "If I do have breast cancer, I am getting OUT OF THIS JOB!" (It was freelance computer work for large law firms, and I was just doing it for the money.) And I did get out of it. Weird that it took the threat of b.c. to open my eyes.

Good to know about the black nipple oddness too. My surgeon said that it's not unheard of to bleed from the nipple at the final stage of healing and I was glad to have that warning.

Dancetrancer, the anecdote I described does sound like radiation recall, but his point was that his patient's illness was not associated with chemo, or anything else that is known to trigger problems, yet he saw it with his own eyes... one of those "I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it" stories. He always says there's so much we don't understand yet our approach seems to be working, and I like that honesty.

Also, did anyone read about Omega-3 fats and breast cancer fatigue this morning? I know I posted a while ago that I was noticeably less tired after starting up my vitamins again, and that included fish oil. The research was done with women who were three years after diagnosis, but still, hmm....

Enough of this chattiness. Good wishes to all! Four more boosts for me and then out. (Oh, and for or those of you who haven't started the boosts, I was surprised that for me, there's no more clasping hands over the head and turning head to the side awkwardness--just arms at the side which is so much more comfortable...)

Chicago1958 I have only 4 left to go too!!! I still have to have arms up over my head though

WOW it is BEAUTIFUL outside!!!

Congrats! Geegster!  So happy for you.  I totally understand what you say about being sad.  It feels odd not to be "doing" anything.  I have been in treatment for 7 months and it seems that there was something everyweek, then every day, to be done.  Now, all I have is work and waiting to see the MO and RO for follow up. 

See you all over on the after rads thread?

Druanne, we had our surgery on exactly the same day too...

This is weird: One more boost to go, and I hit the wall last night with fatigue, after having none the first 32 treatments???

NancyJill - I felt fine and then WHAM, would suddenly feel fatigued for about an hour or so.  I'd sit down or rest on the couch, then I'd feel fine again.  After this started I forced myself to walk every day, starting out with just 15 minutes, working up to 30 min, then did yoga after my walk.  I stopped having the fatigue "attacks".  It was remarkable how much the walking helped, and I wish I had forced myself to start it earlier in treatment! Even so, it obviously helped me quite a bit. 

bak - my fatigue did not get worse - I felt better - but I was also increasing my walking time the last week or two, so maybe that is why I didn't notice any worsening of the fatigue?

I saw an article today about fatigue, cancer, and omega 3's helping.  Very interesting!  I wonder if the flax seed I've been mixing into my oatmeal, yogurt, and soups has been helping with that, too.

Oh and I took like the worst "bad for you" goodies and they LOVED it.  I made white chocolate covered chex mix/pretzels and put it in little bags and walked around with a big bag of it, handing it out like Santa.  I became everyone's favorite patient, instead of the most annoying, LOL!!! 

I'm happy to hear that you were already walking the day after your port, even if it was shortened.  I know it's a common procedure, but the thought of it really gives me the willies!  Have my appt with the port surgeon next week.  

1 wk post rads report:  developed a few small blisters this week, which popped in the shower and are healing fast.  Skin is gradually becoming less brown/red but not quite to the pink level just yet...although it looks much better each morning (it seems lots of healing happens while I'm sleeping).  I didn't start peeling until last night - this was just a little bit, under the arm.  Now that it has peeled, that area feels less dry and more soft like closer to normal skin.  Progress ladies! 

bak - yes - I'm getting chemo after rads.  Chemo is controversial for my case (tiny IDC that is HER2+).  My local onc said no chemo/Herceptin.  I started rads and then realized how controversial the recommendation is...decided to go to MD Anderson for a 2nd opinion, but they (MDA) wouldn't let me interrupt rads  for a consult.  So I finished rads last Friday, flew to Houston Sun and had my consult Monday and flew back that night.  Talk about a whirlwind.  If I can handle that, you know my level of fatigue is not bad at all!  LOL  Anyways, MDA said they strongly recommend chemo/Herceptin, my risk of recurrence is 25% within 5 years.  I decided to err on the side of caution and follow their advise.  Found a new local onc and getting set up to start chemo/herceptin in the next week or two.  

dancetrancer-I would do the same thing:)

I got my last boost today, so I'm all done.  Skin is holding up pretty well.   I'm very red, but  no sores, or pain.  A little peeling in the fold under the breast and itching.  But I'm very satisfied with it.  I still have to take curcumin for 1 more week, and see the research nurse next Friday and then in a month.  But she seemed very pleased as well.  So now I move on to Femara.

Thanks dancetrancer

Yay Doxie!  Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  TGIF gals!