Any April/May 2012 rad girls out there?

Happy Weekend to all my buddies here!  I am down to 2 treatments and while my I am very sore and raw underneath at least I know from you guys that I will begin healing fairly soon.  I find it so interesting that so many others talk about the friends and family who have been there and those that have not so muich.  It has been surprising that some people who you thought were closest to you kind of ignore you...for me this includes a friend who's mom went through the same thing as I have and the friend was so "there for me" in words at the beginning and who hasn't even contacted me in several months.  Then there are those who have been so faithful in their support, some of whom I didn't realize would be that way.  So for me, I am grateful for those who have such wonderful empathy and kindness and I won't fault the others who haven't been.  However, I now know who I can count on and I also know that in the future I will try to "be there" for people and be consistent in my friendship and caring.  So, this is a big lesson learned for me and I am grateful for the fact that I now know how I need to act/react and to be consistent in my actions.  Is this what they call a "silver lining" in dealing with this rotten disease?  Hell, something good has to come out of it for us! 

I have a co-worker going through treatment right now and I hope my support has been a positive for her.  We seemed to have formed a close bond since we are both in treatment at the same time although I was diagnosed several months before she was diagnosed. She seemed so lost at first and I was happy to be able to give her my input as to what she could expect to happen in a way that would not scare her as her journey began.  A former parent at our school has just been diagnosed as well, and I will try to be there for her, too.  I was so fortunate to have a friend who had gone through BC be an incredible support so I am hoping that paying it forward will help others as much as she has helped me.  I am trying to figure out how I can help women (and men) in our situation as time goes by.  Any ideas on how to do this?  I don't want to be in a group that dwells on what we have all been through.  I want to be a positive help for people who need support.  I think this would help me to move on after treatment because I am afraid of getting stuck in patient mode which wouldn't benefit anyone.  Sorry if I am going on and on about this, but it's been on my mind a lot as I come to the end of rads even though I still have Herceptin and Arimidex in my future.  I feel so fortunate to have you guys to listen to my thoughts, fears and hopes for the future.  Thanks for any input. 

Califgirl - Funny you should mention Penneys.  Almost never buy anything there; the store I went to today is pitifully small and it's a new store.  BUT I did buy some navy crop pants.  At 5'2" crop pants are a bit tricky.  Most fall so low I look like I just have on high water pants.  But liked these.  Thought about a T shirt but they only had it in 1X, comfy but I looked lost in it.  Didn't have it in ladies sizes.  Pass a much bigger store several times a week and maybe I can stop in.  Did you try on the guy- looking plaid Bermudas?  Loved the prints but they made my butt look 5x as big!!!

I did end up going to the goat show after all.  Saw a couple old goat friends.  Boy does that sound odd - old goat friends.  Curbed my jealous oh I want to buy something attitude.  Retirement in Dec. sounds way much more inviting.  And did my little bit of retail therapy.  OH and hit Wally World too.  Tired but in a different way and I think the fatigue from rads is fading fast.  Now if only my skin would heal as fast.

Only goats and 1 rat terrier dog here.  We have 2 acres but also on the corner so bar ditch takes up some, some is across the creek, some is the leech field for septic, some flat floods in heavy rain so not as much as it sounds.  Funny DH won't let me fence in the front yard.  Could put a few more out there.  NOT!  I thought I wanted a miniature donkey till I went to the State Fair.  Stubborn and not all that small esp. when they don't want to do somethng.  Share a fenceline with a horse, donkey and cow (female) next door.  Forget which 2 came together but cow escapes in fall when she's in heat.  Gets herself penned in a round pen for security otherwise she's out roaming neighborhood for a male friend. Wink, wink.  We are 3 miles outside small town northwest of Ft. Worth.  Was not raised a country girl.  Moved out here almost 14 years ago when DD was in 6th grade. Do love my goats but 2 are very old and will probably lose both this summer.  But had babies born on May 15 but bummer both males.  Will have to rehome them once they get neutered.

Had 2 cute chihuahuas (part not full blood) dumped here couple weeks ago.  Heard them barking at night.  they were living in the culvert.  Both males bummer again.  would have found a way to keep at least one if female.  House pets for sure.  One scared the poop out of me one night following me in door.  Found the 2nd one curled up in the tall grass.  Had a hurt leg but getting around on 3 legs.  DH managed to lure into big dog crate with leftover chicken and took to county shelter.  As they were taking them into quarantine he said people were jockeying to get a look at them.   He felt at least the non-injured one would surely get adopted and maybe even the hurt one.  Made me feel better.  Always have strays around here.  At least I didn't fear for my goats from them.

Gosh, ramble forever.  Need shower for church tomorrow.  Been bad girl past few weeks.  Not been to both Sunday School and church probably since late March if then.  Might have been before my LX.  TTYL

ER+ is estrogen receptor positive

PRA+ is progesterone receptor positive

HER2NEU+ is her2neu positve

G2 is grade 2

T2 is stage 2

NO ?? zero nodes ???

MO ???

Hello girls!

Just to let you know, I finished the (dreaded) brachytherapy two days ago, and now I am home relaxing for the weekend, monday back to work.

It was not so bad really. They told me it was a 2 and half hour operation, but all they did was stick a big needle one side and went straight through the other side. The thing is - they must have missed the spot 6 times, as I have six dots on one side and six on the other... But - they confirmed they hit the right spot, the tumor-bed, as they call it.

So, for now, I just want to forget the whole thing and get on with my life !

By the way, very little sore feeling, but no pain whatsoever. If anyone of you happens to go for this "boost" of radiation called brachy-therapy.

 Bye and good luck to you all !
Nela.

Thank you Joanne53

mamglam you have a very good memory -- my visit with my family went well.  The little guy (whose birthday it was) is beautiful and so good natured.  I also have 9 year old great nieces that are wonderful young ladies and love to spend time with me in the summer -- campfires and smores and swimming and bocce.

Funny you say about your arm -- my armpit feels swollen and bruised today.  Is the bump too painful to wait until Wednesday?  If you can wait until then I think I would and let the RO and nurse see it.   Let me know what they think.

Thank you lovesdogs I was really concerned of what the mo was.  Hope everyone's weekend went well.

Maghery721, Check your measurements.  Has your bra band size changed?  Mine increased by about 4 inches.  Trunckle lymphademia? Or swelling from rads? We don't know yet.  But the swelling and tight bras did cause me some bruising on both breasts till I picked up a couple of bras that actually sort of fit.

Hello Ladies

I am on my 33 out of 35 treatments now. I have noticed an increase in swelling in my arm and hand where the 4 lymph nodes were removed. My incision is on the Outter end of my breast near the auxiliary area. I think the targeted boosts are causing this new mild lymphedema. Has anyone experienced this too. I am not too concerned but it is uncomfortable. I am also limiting what I try and carry, push, and pull with this arm. MY RO will see my on my final treatment day on Wednesday. The suggested excercises does not seem to help it much. I am just figuring it is just another inconvenience in the long list of junk that we have to deal with.



BTW my wounds are healing nicely and skin is improving. All along I have worn those comfy bras that they advertise on QVC. I have to admit they are comfortable and allowed me to leave the house throughout my healing.

3 more to go..whohoooo. Today I had a student from university in the room. They were kind enough to ask if i would allow a man in the room. I said No problem...I probley scarred him for life with my 43 yr old saggy 36D's and now loppsided...He was very nice and cute! It was just awkward...even though my Ro is  man also..

Have a great day!

I graduated from rads today...I am done! done! done!  Can't wait for the rest of you to have this feeling, too.  Hugs to all.  Linda

Yay Linnyhopp! Glad you are joining us on the other side!

Linda ~ Congratulations my friend...let the healing begin!

SAN

Congrats linnyhopp!! Wishing you a speedy recovery from the treatment.