Any April/May 2012 rad girls out there?

I'm finding protein helps me too. All through chemo, the only breakfast I could handle was cottage cheese, of all things!  Weird! But it was a good start to the day.

LovesDogs, I agree - letting myself cry if necessary does help to get beyond that moment more easily. As long as I don't play headgames with myself about why am I am teary, I am fine! It's just all part of it. Most days, I am pretty good, and am enjoying people again...I am pretty outgoing and was NOT through chemo. So much of this is letting things ride and knowing it is a long journey and coming to terms with that. Not that I am just sitting back at all. I'm still working my part time job and cooking, etc. But I do what I can when I can, and have learned to ask for help! Haven't needed as much, and much more okay with a slower paced life right now.

Congrats to those who are finishing...quite an accomplishment!

LovesDogs, I hope you sleep well tonight. I have the same issue but have been sleeping better. I actually am sleeping in a recliner since my surgery (and expanders), and turn on the ceiling fan above my chair. It has helped alot. Just having air moving helps me sleep better, but I almost always wake up at least once due to a hot flash. Won't miss those!

Andi 

Today was my LAST one !!! I took the party whistles in and while I was still laying on the table but finished .. the 3 techs came in blowing them for me.... that was really nice to allow me this little celebration.

25 and I am tired --- my armpit looks very dirty and the skin is peeling --- really it looks like if I could give it a good scrubbing .. but that won't be happening -- under the breast, it is a bit raw too. 

I have an appointment to see the RO in 8 weeks -- unless I need to see him sooner.  My mammogram is booked for November too -- interesting that it was the RO that arranged that.

Good luck all -- I will still be popping in.

CONGRATS JOANNE!!!!

Congrats to Joanne!!



Wiskris. Glad to hear you are slowly getting better. It took me about 3 weeks to see a good amount of improvement. I am laughing out loud because of your flashing comment. Before I was very modest about my 38DD's. Not anymore! I stand there with my bra on joking and talking with the RAD techs all of the time. Its kind of liberating! My RO is a youngish handsome Indian man. I flash him too without giving it a second thought......things have definitely changed! I joke with my husband about my big red hot boob. Gotta laugh or else I would be crying.



Lovesdogs: I have pretty much stopped eating any red meat since DX. Only organic beef if I do want it but not often. Alot of fish, eggs, and poultry. I also make breakfast smoothies with vegan organic protein powders. I have just figured out if I eat small meals every few hours my energy stays stable.





20 down and 15 left to go.

Celebrating with you Joanne!

Congratulations Joanne_53!!  Here is a cyber whistle blown for you!!  Take good care of your skin now as it will probably become worse before it gets better as radiation is cumulative.  I have still been going for dressings for my wounds and seem to be getting better now.  My follow-up appt. with the RO has been scheduled for June.  Everyone still in treatment, be kind to yourselves and rest all that your body needs.  Radiation takes a toll on our physical and mental state and we need to give it some TLC. 

I am so jealous of you who are done.  Nipple is red, peeling, bad sunburn look.  Owieeeee!  I think starting to get some breakdown underneath or else my yeast is back.  I had not been putting on the Xclair and Aquaphor under there but RO last week said to start.  Saw another RO today, mine out of town, and he reminded me what Mamglam said.  Two weeks until improvement.  Tomorrow is my last regular treatment.  At least I think boosts will be away from nipple.  My incision is lateral L outer side, pretty far underneath.  'Course I know it will just be trading one pain for another and then I will hurt in more places.  Saw some hydrogel dressings in my office today.  Intended to take 1-2 to see if they helped.  RO has me doing Domeboro soaks which I must admit I have not been faithful about.  Who wants to soak their boob at 5:30 in the morning?  I asked about the soak because box says for weeping sores.  He says she ordered it in anticipation of it weeping.  Oh Joy more things to look forward to, weeping.

Still don't have any ideas for my celebration next week.  I've only heard the bell rung couple of times but I have early rads 0740.  Might be more going on later in day.  Just not having to get up at 5:30 will be heaven.

I have not had to stop doing my regular routine - working full time, running my daughter to all her activities.  Yes, by the end of the day I am tired but most people who would do what I do would be tired as well.  I have finished 17 and have 8 more to go.  My skin is starting to get a little pink and a bit sore but nothing worse than that.  I am grateful that it hasn't been too bad so far.

Gayle

Congrats Joanne

Gayle

Lory48,

That is great news!  

Joanne_53,

You can try the saline soaks and then air dry by staying bare for at least an hour a day.  I had read a tip on these boards about using a used toilet roll under the breast to help air out and have used this tip successfully.  I have also bought some baby soft face cloths which I use for drying after shower and also to cover up rather than using the dressings at night.

LovesDogs - congrats on finishing rads today -- I did too -- it is freedom!!

Joanne and LovesDogs -- SO HAPPY for you both! And it sounds like you both survived rads well. Thanks so much for all your input and suggestions. You both have been great   

wiskris -- Glad you are hanging in there and 1/2 way done too! I LOL about your center of attention comment and I feel the same way. I used to feel a little self-conscieous about my smaller right breast, but now that it is even smaller and somewhat misshapen, WTH!

Saw the other RO today (not my real RO), he's very nice but last time I saw him, it was a very brief visit. He asked me if I had any problems, took a brief glimpse of my breast, and then left. Well, this time I made him work for his money....! I asked him to explain the "boosts." And he actually did a good job, even bringing my pictures up on the computer and explaining the different angles that may be used and why, and what exactly are we radiating. I told him today I really appreciate my little blue mold that helps make my positioning so easy and comfortable for me. LOL that made him happy.

So I am 1/2 way done -- yea! I've had 4 or 5 different rads techs. I'm just beginning to notice that some of them are definitely more considerate than others with the little things, though they are all very nice and friendly. Two of them (esp when they work together) are very exceptional. They always help me on the table, they turn the lights low immediately (so I'm not laying on the table in bright light -- so exposed! and as someone said, you can see your reflection in the glass) as they have black lights to see the tattoos, they cover me up with my gown as soon as they have me positioned properly, one of them always says "see you soon," as she leaves the room, and they offer a hand to sit up and tie my gown in the back. Believe me, they all don't do these things! I feel like telling them its the little things that make a BIG difference to the patient.

Joanne ~ I'm sooooo happy for you   I can't imagine what it will be like to not have my life revolve around my drive to Escondido everyday, but I'm looking forward to finding out.  I was also planning a celebration, but I feel like the wind has been taken out of my sails.  I'm just too exhausted and miserable right now to blow whistles.  I think I'll just do my time and get out.

Lory ~ I finish on Friday too.  I have done 33 treatments and my skin is a hot mess, but I only have 3 more to go.  Unlike Joanne who got to sleep the day after...I've got to take off for a cross-country trip with my daughter. 

On Monday, I am driving my 19 year old DD out to Austin, TX where she will be attending law school ANDDDDD (just because I'm not tired enough already) I will be having the trip double as a business trip. I have clients in nearby New Braunfels, so I have scheduled meetings for 2 days while I am out there.  What is wrong with me??  I don't know how I am going to survive two 11-hour days of driving and two days of business meetings.  I literally have to gear up to get out of my robe and get dressed to go to rads every day...what makes me think I'm ready to put on a suit and go run a board meeting?  Lately I'm wondering WTH happened to who I was...and who am I now?

SAN