Any April/May 2012 rad girls out there?

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  • ashla
    ashla Member Posts: 1,581
    edited May 2012

    Claire...



    Good luck Claire!

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

    Congrats Claire for finishing ---- and thanks for starting this thread --

    join us on "staring at the Tamoxifen Rx" that Sandyland started -- would be great to keep up with you.

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  • Nicole4
    Nicole4 Member Posts: 104
    edited February 2015

    I just got home from my last rad, 25 done.  what a feeling!! xox

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  • Califgirl12
    Califgirl12 Member Posts: 92
    edited May 2012

    Hello Joanne

    I have an anniversary party that we rsvp'd to for a long time friend.....I can relate regarding your feelings towards your sister. My friend has text me a couple of times and called twice. I am hurt that she didn't take the 30 minute drive to come and visit. I am not excited about seeing her this weekend. I am resentful and hurt. Deep down I want to cancel and use my peeling, open wounded breast as the excuse. Ugg. I want to be forgiving, but I am still in the thick of this all and trying to cope. We will see.



    Andi: my skin issues began at the end of my 28 treatments. I am finishing the 7 boosts now. Lots of peeling underneath with exposed wounds. Yuk. Doesn't hurt though, surprisingly. They told me because I am large breasted, I am having all of these issues. They told me in 2 weeks I will see a good amount of improvement. In a month I will be almost healed.

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  • Califgirl12
    Califgirl12 Member Posts: 92
    edited May 2012

    Congrats to Claire and Nicole!!

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

    Congrats Nicole -- yahoo !!!

    Califgirl -- thanks for your comments --- you said it "resentful" --- I don't want to be there but that is where I am and I need to move on but it will take time.  Now for your skin -- look after it -- it took 2 weeks after rads for mine to be healed -- it is still visible but not uncomfortable -- The first week after I finished I could hardly put on clothes let alone a bra -- I wore very baggy clothes and lots of cream -- polysporin on the exposed skin ....  

    Good luck ladies - almost there.

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  • MOT
    MOT Member Posts: 130
    edited May 2012

    Clairinaz -- Congrats on finishing in good shape! I just finished my regular rads -- start 5 boosts tomorrow -- then DONE!! Thanks for starting this thread way back when.....

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  • wiskris
    wiskris Member Posts: 93
    edited May 2012

    2 boost done and 6 more to go to finish my 33 rad treatments....whohoo...My seroma is still lurking but has shrunken from a tennis ball to a gold ball. I am just going to let nature takes it course and heal slowly. I don't want this incision opened again...Im ready to start healing!!!!!

    I have been pretty fatigued and getting a lot of rest. MY RO and nurse told me that I was a trooper and they have never seen anyone with a physical demanding job like myself work all through rads. I listened to my body and took an extra day in the middle of rads to heal. MY skin is red as a tomato but still solid. I have not had any blisters or open sores. It has started to peal in armpit.

    I was wondering if anyone could give me advise. I have this whole weekend off I get 1 full weekend every 6 weeks and MY 70 yr  old Dad got in some trouble with law last week with an accident and owi. He is fine and seems ok but I really want to go visit him. He lives 6 hrs away. He started outpatient tx for alcoholism this week. I know my body needs the rest and I don't want to just go up there and sleep. I just want to see with my 2 eyes he is ok mentally and physically. It has been tearing me up all week. I am still emotional from this whole cancer deal but this really toppered her off! My hubby has to work and Im not sure I trust my body to drive 300 miles 1 way. what would you cancer sistas do? I can go visit in July also. I do talk to him via phone daily... MY body needs rest but I cant be so selfish!!

    Have a great day!!

    Kristi

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  • Andimom03
    Andimom03 Member Posts: 162
    edited May 2012

    I understand your dilemma, wiskris. If you feel you have to go, have someone else drive you. I have a hard time saying no to things, but I have been! Someone reminded me yesterday that I have a good reason to be 'selfish' right now. It is not selfish - it is WISE. If someone could do a road trip with you, that would be great. You wouldn't have the stress of the long drive. Otherwise, I would keep talking on the phone and save the visit for when you are done and stronger. Driving is tiring for me and the seatbelt hurts.

    8 left and I can hardly wait. Doc says my skin is holding up well. No blisters but plenty of redness and ITCHY!!!! Under my arm, next to my sternum and my right shoulder blade! Hope it stays intact.

    Enjoy your days, everyone! It is beautiful here and very healing...cool and sunny. Love it.

    Andi 

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

    Yes. Kris, Yes you can, must, be selfish at this time.  If you can get someone to drive you while you nap, it might be good for your peace of mind to visit.  But to drive by yourself when you are so tired?  I think it'd be a bad idea for me.  I would definitly have fallen asleep and killed myself or someone else if I'd tried it.  Now, a week out?  I'm much better, but still have qualms about a road trip.  I did manage to stay up almost till my pre rads bedtime last night so, that's progress, but...

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

    Hi kris, I think you should try and make it a fun road trip and have a friend go with you ... you could drive a bit but the most of the driving would be someone else -- you can visit your dad but try and make it fun too and have some "girl" time .. that being said, I have no idea where you are so .... I go away for a shopping weekend with friends so that is what I was thinking .... visit your dad, have a nice dinner, take in a movie .... have some special girlfriend time ....

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  • Andimom03
    Andimom03 Member Posts: 162
    edited May 2012
    I like your way of thinking, Joanne...wish I could meet you at the mall!
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  • Joanne_53
    Joanne_53 Member Posts: 1,477
    edited May 2012

    Andi, I live an hour from Buffalo so I have 2 g/f and we go to Erie and Grove City, PA every November for 2 nights to shop -- yes we shop but it is just fun -- laughing, swimming at the hotel, dinners out and a bit of drinking, yes .... it is just fund to have the time together ....

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  • mamglam
    mamglam Member Posts: 178
    edited May 2012

    Joanne_53,

    I love your shopping spirit!!  I too, love shopping and sometimes get my family to go to Buffalo for some retail therapy and Cheesecake Factory!!  

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

    you need to head to Erie and Grove City -- PA has no sales tax on clothes .... 

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

    Had my one week follow up with the RO today.  He thinks my skin is looking much better, keep using the dressing for another week, and make sure to let the nurses know if I have any questions/problem etc., but I'm good to go, so good in fact that he said I didn't even need the usual 1 month follow up unless something crops up.  Keep my appt. for a mammogram in November, then come to see him...  With the understanding of course, that I'll be seeing the MO and PCP and continuing LE therapy. Yes! 

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  • Sandyland
    Sandyland Member Posts: 262
    edited May 2012

    Kris ~ I just took a cross-country road trip.  I finished rads on Friday and left on Monday to take my 19 year old daughter to TX for law school.  I spent 2 days (12 hrs each day) in the car while my DD did most of the driving.  It was not easy, but it was "doable."  My biggest problem was the flight home alone.  I was unprepared for how overwhelming it would be to travel alone without my DH, who I have come to rely on so strongly.  You'd never have known by watching me cry in the airport that just last year, I had taken 6 cross country business trips or that I've literally traveled the world by myself.  Cancer changes you...be kind to yourself.

    SAN

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  • ang7894
    ang7894 Member Posts: 540
    edited June 2012

    I'M so tired :( mentally and physically 16 rads to go out of 33 total.  I thought chemo was bad but this everyday stuff is really getting to me want to start to cry all over again. And I am just now starting to see where rads is hitting me look like the color of a hot dog not to bad yet that part is doing ok I guess.  It goes under my arm pit down to some of my ribs and whole breast. I really don't like it hitting some ribs.  Now I know why they where hurting last week.

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

    ang- you will make it.  It seems so long well you are doing rads.  But it does end.  Then you can start healing!  I finished an Wednesday.  And i will admit that the following Friday, Saturday and Sunday were the worst as far as discomfort and fatigue.  I don't know how much of the fatigue was from the rads and how much was from the vicoden the dr gave me.  I don't usually take pain pills, but I was so uncomfortable I couldn't sleep, so...  Anyway by Monday I was better, Tuesday better still and by my 1 week follow up I was so much better that the ro decided we could skip the 1 month follow up!  So it's good.  I'm still tired, but not the bone deep, can't take another step tired.  More, "I could use an extra hour or two of sleep"

    Good healing everone!

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  • ang7894
    ang7894 Member Posts: 540
    edited June 2012
    Thank you Cindyl I am so tired right to the bones yet but yes I can see the end of rads it is June 22 At least I made it to June :)   Congrats on being able to skip the 1 month follow up nice job Laughing
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  • Sandyland
    Sandyland Member Posts: 262
    edited June 2012

    Ang ~ I found that I was FAR more emotional and miserable during rads than I expected to be.  In fact, I kinda thought I'd sail through because I knew it wouldn't be as physically challenging as my brutal chemo regimen had been.  We have to be careful not to underestimate how powerful the mental/emotional componant is.  Even now (2 weeks post rads), I am in a less stable place than I was during the surgery/chemo phase of my tx's.  I decided yesterday to seek out a good therapist.  I need to talk this all through with someone.  Be kind to yourself and just do whatever it takes to make yourself feel as good as possible through this.  I can tell you the rads end and your skin does heal...the rest of it?  Well, I'm still working that out myself :)

    Blessings,

    SAN

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

    SAN -- It is interesting that you say that you decided to seek out a good therapist.  I said that on the weekend to my sister -- I did not have chemo but for some reason my treatment is done, my body is healing and I am at a stand still -- not sure why but it hit like a ton of bricks.  Maybe because everyone expects me to be "back to normal" ... and I said this before ... what is "normal". 

    I am going to contact someone myself and start to address some things for my emotional healing.

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  • linnyhopp
    linnyhopp Member Posts: 567
    edited June 2012

    So I am down to 2 more treatments.  My skin is horrible under the breast...very red, hot and skin is peeling and oozing.  I am so glad it will soon be over.  Hoping it doesn't take forever to heal.  I find I am exhausted by Friday, but able to keep going for the most part.  I just seem to sleep a lot on Saturdays!

    SAN ~You and I have talked about a good therapist.  It is so worth it and I hope all who need the emotional help will seek it.  So far I am not feeling the emotional down side of all of this and am worried that it may happen when I finish with the rads.  I have certainly had my "moments" during all of this and hope I don't crash and burn.  I have plans to go back to a family reunion in Chicago at the end of July and hope traveling by myself isn't an issue.  I haven't even flown in 3 years and that alone makes me a bit leery of my reaction as I am not the best "flyer" in the world.  I can honestly say that if I need to talk to someone about all this I, too, would not hesitate to do that. 

    I am so happy for ALL who are finished and healing.  Can't wait to be among you!  ANG ~ I am glad you are already seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  I do have to say that it seemed like it would never end, but just like chemo, in looking back the time really did go more quickly than I expected.  Hope it seems that way to you, too.

    Wishing everyone a great weekend!  Hugs to all.

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

    Linny!  Keep your chin up!  I  healed pretty fast, hope you will too.

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  • MOT
    MOT Member Posts: 130
    edited June 2012

    Survived 2 boosts so far. The girls on the boosts machine side are not as efficient and professional as "my" regular rads girls. But oh well, only have to do 3 more. Boob is red but skin is intact. Just worked 10 hours today and probably 10 hours tomorrow. CAN NOT WAIT to be done! Also trying to refi the house -- nothing like a little more stress added to the pile....

    Glad to hear everyone is healing in all ways.... have a great weekend!

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  • Sandyland
    Sandyland Member Posts: 262
    edited June 2012

    MOT & Linda ~ You guys are almost there!  The finish line is just ahead, hang in there :)  I feel your pain (as I was just there myself 2 weeks ago), but I'm here to tell you the worst of it passes quickly and healing begins within days.  Now, at the 2 week mark, my redness has faded considerably and I feel very little pain.  I am still peeling, but it is a nuisance more than anything else.

    SAN

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  • luvmygoats
    luvmygoats Member Posts: 2,942
    edited June 2012

    Stayed up late trying to finish work paperwork.  Was due by midnight but finished about 0130.  Can't sleep and haven't been on here in several days so I'll just sleep in tomorrow.

    Congratulations to every one that has finished.  Still breaking out in blisters under L breast and a little frankly open area in the crease.  Underarm dark and not sure it won't peel.  But I can say the fatigue is better, not great but better.  Staying up till 2:45 in the morning won't help I know but WTH. 

    Thought about going to a goat show (I know you say really a goat show???) tomorrow, well now today, but I keep talking myself out of it.  TOO hot.  And I know I would be completely jealous of the fab goats.  Yes, there is such things as fabulous goats.  Though I do need to do some retail therapy.  Have a pool party (early evening) in 3 weeks and need something new and cool to wear.  Just can't break the bank since I don't get to wear things like that too often and can't justify expense.  Also need new jeans.  I buy one pair and wear them out and buy another.  Jeans shopping for me is like swimsuit shopping.  Take a million pairs in to try on.  Anyone know any good jeans for short/wide person?

    I'm going on to Arimidex or another AI.  Have appt with MO next week.  Put it off from this week cause I thought would be too busy this week being a short week.  Not looking forward to it.  I do get what everyone says about ending active tx and I didn't go through what most of you did.   Don't miss one bit getting up at 5:30 for rads but miss the - sad to say - attention.

    MOT - I found the placement for boluses much more time consuming.  I expected much worse out of my incision from them.  Other places hurt much worse than it does like deep inside, underarm at SNB.  Funny yours is a different room.  All mine in one room.  Really curious to see the other 2 tx rooms but alas, no go. 

    Have RO followup end of month.  Can't imagine much to folloup with at that point.  Took couple vacay days the week before.  Might try to move it to justify shopping day but then again I would just like to sit on my behind and do nothing.

    TTYL

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  • MOT
    MOT Member Posts: 130
    edited June 2012

    luvmygoats -- aww....goats are cute! I wish I had a couple to eat the blackberry and scotchbroom bushes around here. I have been on another thread: Arimidex: coping with the SEs, and they have offered some articles about the serious SE, mainly heart attack, also some studies that say the benefit is minimal compared to the risk of heart attack. You might want to check it out. Arimidex is the plan for me, but I am going to ask my MO alot of questions when I see her in 2 weeks.

    My skin LOVES the weekends with no rads, but have to say the long morning drive has not been bad at all and I know what you mean about the "attention" from the rads techs! It will be kind of weird to go back to my "normal" routine.... and as Joanne said What is normal? anymore....

    wiskris -- whatever you decide to do -- be kind to yourself.

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  • wiskris
    wiskris Member Posts: 93
    edited June 2012

    Thanks everyone for the advice. I decided to stay home and rest. I have 4 tx left and armpit is really sore. I am spending the whole weekend on anti inflammatory and no bra!!! I have also upped my lotion applications to 5 per day. Im trying to prevent the peeling more than it is!

    I am going to go shopping for awhile today and then up to a farmers market tomorrow. My hubby and I decided to go up north to see parents in July when this is behind us. I have been pretty fatigued and sleeping whenever tired. I am starting to fell a bit like a hermit! My hubby likes to go out once in awhile on weekend with friends. I just stay home to rest. This cancer has really changed me. I have decided that my so called friends are not really there. I have some including my only sister that have called me since diagnosis and tx ONCE or less!!! I am taking care of myself and being selfish. My hubby understands completely.

    I am happy I am done in 4 more tx..I than have apt with oncologist to start tamoxifen next week. I am unsure if I am looking forward to that!!

     So do you consider yourself cancer free after Rads???? I am unsure anymore!!lol

    Thanks again for the help!!! It is so nice to hear from others that understand!

    Kristi

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

    Kristi... hang in there.  You will feel so much better once this is done.  But friends... yeah.  Some one should have a seminar for "friends of the cancer patient".  Because omg.  People I would have expected to be Jenny on the spot, just haven't been.  Others, frequently those who have been there, have been great.  But for example at work, the same people who haven't so much as sent me a "get well" card, or a "thinking of you" message have passed around cards for people getting carpel tunnel surgery and the like.  Not that I'm bitter, mind you. Smile  I know cancer is scary and people often don't know what to say, but, hell, there are so many ways to touch base now, an email? a text?  something?  Total silence is just deafening...

     Howsomever, I don't know that I've done any better by friends that have be in dark places either, so I shouldn't complain.

     I've been so tired that I haven't been able to do my once a week "big" grocery shop... so that means I have to keep stopping to "grab" something for supper, which ends up being more work than having something to throw in the crockpot in the morning.  But today?  Well today, I believe I'm up to actually shopping the whole grocery store... we'll see.

    Rest & recharge ladies!  We are almost to the end of this particular tunnel!

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