May 2012 radiation

Thanks, SB.  I haven't washed any of the ink off.  The stuff between the girls just comes off naturally in my cleavage over night!  But this new ink is around my scar, which should stay on pretty well.  It's a circle of white and a circle of purple, with two stickers.  Congrats on the boost!  Do you know how many more you have to have?

Stephanie, I'm not sure how many boosts are coming.  I think he'll keep boosting until my ribs are sticking through my skin.  And if that works I'll see if I can talk him into some butt boosts.  I could use to lose a little there, too.

AEM47, how's your skin doing with the boosts?  I think I'll have at least 8, maybe 10, if the skin will hold out.  Sorry you're bummed.  At least there's light at the end of the tunnel, girlfriend!

AEM - so glad you have a date!  Love the new use of eye patches ... I am hoping that everything holds up!

SB - chip up - you CAN do this, you MUST do this.  I am still thinking of your sister.  I am going to appeal to my cousin who lives in Denver to offer support -- e.g., rides, infusion company, etc.  It would be good for her (she is young and kind, but ... well, young) -- and maybe interesting for your sister too.  Anyway, more on that later.

Stephanie, I hope things look brighter today, stay the course! 

Happy weekend ladies, rest rest rest! 

Hi everyone, I can't believe there are just 4 of us left to finish.....yay!!

I am just over a week post rads. My boob generally is almost back to normal - I can't really make out the rad field now. The boost area is still reddish and a little tender in parts and the skin is peeling along my scar.  Starting Tamoxifen in 2 weeks. Noticing some fatigue though.....some days I get to 3 or 4pm and just HAVE to nap. Weird, coz I didn't really experience that DURING rads.  

Sb,  I had twins too, 12lbs 4oz at 36 weeks, so I know what your belly looked like . AEM, I had 7 boosts after 26 rads - I hope your skin holds up - I'm sending you healing vibes. 

Neeners, I would never have guessed Stephanie from your screen name!!

I surely wasn't thinking Stephanie... Gina, Regina, Janine  Hi to STLmom

SB - I think of you every day when I put on my eyeliner!  And now with going "topless" for a little over a week now it really helps my confidence.  One of my really good friends couldn't stop feeling my hair the other day.  She loved how soft is is!  She said it's like a puppy's fur.  I guess that's a compliment.  That is so awesome the clerk liked your "haircut." 

It is getting exciting that we are getting down to just a few to finish!  yea!  Keep putting your lotions on gals!  I think I'm somewhere in the middle of SEs in the group.  I have some pain and peeling in my armpit and it itches where I was radiated but I'm so fearful to scratch and opening up some problems so I put that "expensive" lotion on whenever I feel anything.  I kind of laugh at calling the lotion "expensive" because yes $28 is a lot for a tube of lotion but I think each radiation "treatment" was from like $600 to $800 (I can't remember what my current bill says and not that is what I pay after insurance) not to mention the cost of my surgery and chemo sessions!  So, in the grand picture and trying to keep my skin intact somewhat, i don't mind forking out $28 three times.  Sorry for the rant but my NP kept saying how expensive the lotion was going to be but I was like if it will help my skin isn't it worth it and knowing all the other monetary costs of this bc.  whatever.

STL - congrats tomorrow!  Enjoy the moment!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful, restful weekend!

STLMom - congrats to you!

Wow...nine pounds of one baby...that's a lot to push out.  AEM, you get the award!  Mine were 5 lbs, 13 oz and 6 lbs, 3 oz, and they popped out one at a time, although it was within minutes of each other.  

Welcome, STL, and congrats on being almost finished!

I found a great product yesterday at Bed, Bath and Beyond.  "Frogg Toggs."  It's an evaporative cooling towel, make of some kind of magic hydrophilic absorbant material.  When it's moistened, it will cool and soothe whatever skin it's laid against.   I've been at home all day with my lime-green Frogg Togg wrapped around my neck and chest and it's been great.  $14.99, too.  If they put it in a clinical-looking medical wrapper and removed the pretty green color, the medical community could charge $149.99 for it!

Happy Sunday, everyone.  Gearing up for "Boost Week." Let's all try to get some good sleep tonight! 

spoke & Jan love the picture too!  That is so awesome you got to meet each other! 

SB - I might need to check out the BB&B here for that frogg togg.  My pit is starting to really bother me.  Funny but true if the medical community started selling them.  They would be at least $149.99!

mckenna - for some reason I thought you were from California.  You must have awesome insurance.  I've paid thousands in co-pays especially with my BMX and all my chemo already.  It is what it is.  Plus all my cyber shopping therapy!  LOL

Goodie - I've paid about 10K so far, myself.  I haven't gotten any bills yet for rads - hopefully insurance will cover all it since I've definitely met my deductibles!

Goodie--we were diagnosed at the same time, and will probably be having reconstruction at the same time next year.  Are you doing a flap procedure, or implants? 

I'm probably going for a DIEP if all goes well. 

Goodie--good news, the process continues.  I hope the fills go well and skin streeeaaaatches painlessly.

They recommended no TEs for me, because they were targeting the radiation to the left side of my chest so carefully, and were concerned a TE would distort things.  I was disappointed, because I think the reconstruction won't be as nice, but the goal here is to save my life, not wind up with gorgeous bazooms.  Also, the plastic surgeon asked me to not have the healthy breast removed at the time of the original MX, so he could have more skin to work with during next year's recon.  So for a few months I'm tilted to the starboard side!

Woo hoo - today I hit 80% done.  6 more to go.  Tomorrow is the last 'full boob' zap.  

Ladies - I am so excited our group is finishing soon!  The countdown is truly on!  Yea!  I mean with rads but not our friendships!

Neeners - 80% is so awesome. I can't wait for our toast to you!  It's going feel so great!