Any April/May 2012 rad girls out there?

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  • linnyhopp
    linnyhopp Member Posts: 567
    edited May 2012
    Lory ~ Not to butt in on your question to Joanne, but I just wanted to mention that my RO said to be careful with corn starch as it can cause a "doughy" mess if there is moisture under the breast and actually create more problems if that happens.  I am having the same problem underneath as well and it's miserable for sure. However, I would think if the area is kept  really dry the corn starch could really help reliever the tenderness. Hoping I don't get the broken skin in the armpit area as that area is getting really irritated.  Glad you are so near the end.  Twelve more for me. 
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  • Joanne_53
    Joanne_53 Member Posts: 1,477
    edited May 2012

    Lory and linnyhopp -- some of the ladies were advised by their RO to use cornstarch ---

    I do have some raw spots under my breast and I pat it dry and then dab the cornstarch on it -- it is dry -- not enough to be "yukky" ... and it does feel quite good -- at least it gives me a bit of relief.

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  • mamglam
    mamglam Member Posts: 178
    edited May 2012

    Congrats Bethm and Lory48!

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  • LovesDogs
    LovesDogs Member Posts: 95
    edited May 2012

    Joanne_53:

    A belated congratulations to you on finishing rads!!  It is truly a wonderful feeling.

    I hope you do something fun to celebrate!!

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  • LovesDogs
    LovesDogs Member Posts: 95
    edited May 2012

    Michbunny:

    I think it hits each of us at different times (and multiple times).  I think alot of ladies feel a let-down and are a little depressed after the bulk of the treatment is over.  You are used to doing something active to fight the cancer and then when it's over it's unsettling.  I think I will never feel the same as I did before the cancer diagnosis.  I'm not sure I'll ever be able to trust my body again.  Having said that, I'm thankful to be here and plan to cherish every day and every birthday.  I'm willing to accept my "new normal".   I'm hoping that with a little more time, you'll settle in to your new normal as a survivor!!

    Hopefully the Tamoxifen won't give you any significant problems.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  I start Tamoxifen next week.

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  • LovesDogs
    LovesDogs Member Posts: 95
    edited May 2012

    Zgirl66:

    Make sure to let your RO know about the itching.  Mine gave me a prescription steroid cream and it helped alot!!  No more itching.

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  • Joanne_53
    Joanne_53 Member Posts: 1,477
    edited May 2012

    LovesDogs -- tomorrow is my birthday -- I will be 54 -- I will never again NOT be happy to celebrate a birthday !!!!!! and yes I will celebrate that and the end of rads !!!  Maybe a chocolate martini or 2 ... mmmm

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  • LovesDogs
    LovesDogs Member Posts: 95
    edited May 2012

    Bethm:

    Congratulations to you on finishing!  Doesn't it feel wonderful?  I hope you do something to celebrate.

    I'm not missing going in every day.  The people were great, but I'm thankful to not have to plan my day around the radiation treatments any more.

    Lory48:

    my hair is about 1/2 - 3/4" long now (last chemo 3/8).  I haven't seen my natural color in years.  Of course now my natural color is mostly gray.  I'm debating whether to let it stay that way or color it when it gets longer.  Has anyone not colored?

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  • LovesDogs
    LovesDogs Member Posts: 95
    edited May 2012

    Fredntan:

    So happy to hear that your mood has lifted. 

    I think it's great that you are going to resign from your job and be able to have time to travel, have fun and live.  Good for you!

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  • LovesDogs
    LovesDogs Member Posts: 95
    edited May 2012

    Now you're talking!!!  Happy Birthday to you - and many, many more.

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  • bchygrl
    bchygrl Member Posts: 9
    edited May 2012

    Joanne: Happy Birthday to you! My birthday was 2 wks ago - 56 - and I am also grateful for every single day! I have also been spending more time with friends and family since the unexpected intrusion of BC. My life used to revolve around work, not so much now!



    Congratulations Bethm, Lory48, and you, Joanne!

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited May 2012

    Before i left rads they gave me a dressing to put on if it started breaking down. Its called xeroform. And its a gauze dressing that is saturated in petrolium jelly and has antibacterial properties. Its a nonadhering dressing. I never had to use it



    Its finally friday!

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  • Michbunny
    Michbunny Member Posts: 91
    edited May 2012

    Congratulations, Lory48!!  It's great to read that many of us are done with treatment and others close to it!

    Thanks for the kind words, LovesDogs.  I think it's the absence of what I'm used to that is upsetting.  I hope I'll feel better once I go back to work, but that won't be until August, when college starts up again.  In the meanwhile, I'll have the summer to relax and get used to my "new normal".

    I saw my RO's nurse practitioner for my follow up yesterday.  My boob is doing ok--it still is retaining fluid, though.  She said that's normal and it will take a couple of more months for my body to absorb it.  She also warned me about the sharp and stabbing pains as the breast continues to heal from radiation.  She said that they peak in the 1-3 months following the end of radiation.  Oh joy.

    I asked about my continuing fatigue.  She said that it should be getting better, which I guess it is, but to expect it to continue for a couple more months.  She suggested having smaller meals 6x a day to keep my energy levels up.  I guess I'll try that as best as I can.

    Anyway, healing vibes to everybody! 

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  • MOT
    MOT Member Posts: 130
    edited May 2012

    Congrats to bethm and Lory!

    fredntan -- I'm sure the silvery gray will be beautiful! A cute short haircut in silver gray can be stunning. I remember my mom had a girlfriend with a short silver hair and she always looks sooo chic! I'm jealous you are turning in your resignation -- I'm afraid I will have to work until I'm 80....  :(  Best wishes!

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  • Joanne_53
    Joanne_53 Member Posts: 1,477
    edited May 2012

    fredntan -- short silver hair -- now just my opinion but look how cute (and sexy) Jamie Lee Curtis is with her short silver hair -- I think she looks wonderful. 

    Michbunny - thanks for the notes from your RO -- very useful and very true.

    bchygrl - since my diagnosis (or intrusion - I like this) I have spent a lot more time with friends and it has been wonderful - it has brought the friendships to a different level which I am grateful for.  It is nice to know you can count on them and they too know that if it was turned around they could count on me --- Work is work and I have reminded others of that -- it is just a job and will go on regardless.  Certainly does change your perspective.

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  • Sandyland
    Sandyland Member Posts: 262
    edited May 2012

    It's over.  I just completed a marathon day consisting of appointments with my MO, RO, General Surgeon, and culminating with my FINAL radiation treatment.  I brought gourmet cookies and a card (with a personal message to every staff member) to my final tx.

    My DH insisted on taking the day off to accompany me today and I'm so glad he did.  I cried a little on our ride home.  Today marks the end of my active cancer treatments and it feels momentous...and yet, it is also just such an ordinary day.

    Still struggling with the feelings of apathy and sadness, but I'm hoping this will pass soon.

    SAN

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  • Cindyl
    Cindyl Member Posts: 1,194
    edited May 2012

    Yay SAN!!! Glad you made it to the end. The day you had would exhaust anyone!

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  • Cindyl
    Cindyl Member Posts: 1,194
    edited May 2012

    This morning when I was putting my aloe on I felt blisters under my breast.  By the time I got to rads this afternoon, the blisters had popped. And more had appeared under my arm. They gave me some dressings and suggested aqua-pure and an anti-inflammatory for the weekend.  The RN also suggested putting a little cornstarch in my bath water. 

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  • mamglam
    mamglam Member Posts: 178
    edited May 2012

    Congratulations SAN!  Now just relax and heal from the treatment. 

    Cindyl,

    Sorry to hear that you have some skin issues - hope they get better soon.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2012

    I am DONE!!!  I cried as soon as I walked into the rad area and the gentleman checked me in. I cried all the way down the hall and into the rad suite-- I got hugs and well wishes. I told the techs I will not miss this, but will miss there warm hearts.. DH and I had a wonderful dinner out along the river.

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  • MizMarie
    MizMarie Member Posts: 332
    edited May 2012

    Yay San and Lori - you did it!!!

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  • Cindyl
    Cindyl Member Posts: 1,194
    edited May 2012

    Yay Lori!  Free at last! Thanks Mamglam.  I plan a quite weekend.  Naps, interupted by splashes of goo.

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited May 2012

    Congradulations Lory

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  • linnyhopp
    linnyhopp Member Posts: 567
    edited May 2012

    San & Lory ~ So happy for both of you. Hope you both heal quickly emotionally and physically! I am sure I will have mixed emotions when I finish my final 12. I am still doing Herceptin until October so it may affect me differently as I will still be doing treatment. I will also start Arimadex (sp?) right after radiation. I am almost afraid to read the side effects on the boards here. Think I will give it a few days.



    Cindyl ~ Sorry about your blistering. Hope the dressings work and you feel better as the weekend progresses and you enjoy your naps and goo!



    Hope all of you here enjoy a pain free and wonderful weekend!

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  • LovesDogs
    LovesDogs Member Posts: 95
    edited May 2012

    Sandyland:

    Congratulations on finishing Rads!!!  I hope you did something to celebrate. 

    I also hope your feelings of sadness subside.  Be kind to yourself, take time to do some things that you really enjoy, spend time with your friends and family. 

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  • LovesDogs
    LovesDogs Member Posts: 95
    edited May 2012

    Lory48:

    Way to go!!!  Isn't it wonderful to be finished?  Enjoy!

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  • MOT
    MOT Member Posts: 130
    edited May 2012

    yahoo SAN and Lory!!!  Smile  So happy for both of you!

    .... I have 7 more regular rads then 5 boosts. Still trying to think of what to do for the techs, nurses and my RO (and the other RO too)....thanks for everyones suggestions

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  • momof3boys
    momof3boys Member Posts: 896
    edited May 2012

    Congratulations to all that finished this week! Celebrate!

    I'm two weeks out- still fatigued, but feeling a bit better everyday. And the sunshine helps! Hope it's sunny for everyone today!

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  • bethm
    bethm Member Posts: 45
    edited May 2012

    congrats San amnd Lory!!

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  • Michbunny
    Michbunny Member Posts: 91
    edited May 2012

    Congratulations San and Lory!!

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