July 2012 Radiation

The silvadeen didn't do much for me during radiation, but it worked wonders the couple of weeks after. It's been 3 weeks now and I think I'm finally done with the skin irritation.

Kijibrty - they can photoshop anything these days, but I'm sure you'll be beautiful just as you are.

Isabelle - I'm glad you had something as a fun distraction. It's too bad you have such a drive. I live just a few miles from my center and was grateful to be able to drive myself back and forth. I don't think I could have done an hour each way on my own. Too tired toward the end. Would not have been a good thing for me to be driving that long.

Jag - I hear you on the jobs. I resigned from a good, but very stressful job in March, just one week before my diagnosis. I am going to look next month for something different, but at 56 in this job market I don't know what I will find. The 6 months of no job doesn't help either. I might be waving at WalMart. lol There must be a job out there somewhere for a lean, mean, cancer fighting machine!

30/34 done = 88% done (only 4 boosts left to do)

I find the comments about the worst SEs coming after rads are done disheartening.  I continue to be pleased with what is happening to me as I approach the finish line.  My skin is turning a darker shade of pink with one sore spot.  The sore spot is now peeling but I have minimal discomfort and still no itching.  Hopefully, post rads will be mild for me, too.

I want to share a conversation I had with a good friend of mine today.  This conversation falls into the "I have to laugh or I might cry" category.  It made me laugh.

I was explaining how my boob complains to me, saying things like, "Why are you doing this to me?" or "This hurts, please stop."  My friend said that I should tell my boob that she should stop complaining because she is lucky to be here; afterall, I could have cut her off.  I don't know why I found this so funny.  My sense of humor is a bit distorted.  BC can do that to a person.

I am so lucky to have such good friends and family to help me through this difficult journey.  It's nice to be able to share my deepest feelings and it's refreshing to be able to laugh with people I love.

Babette - don't be disheartened. I am 3 weeks out today and totally healed. I am barely even tan under my breast where I was the most red and got the tannest. No more peeing or itching and my skin is soft. :-)

Way to go Isabelle! You'll be done before you know it!

Belinda - glad you're not hurting. You're almost halfway there. Yeah!

31/34 done = 92% done (only 3 boosts left to do)

detroit 65 - Welcome.  You are more than half finished.  If you need help with abbreviations, try this link: http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/131/topic/773727?page=1#idx_1

SusannahW and Mini1 - Thanks for the encouraging words regarding post rads healing.  I will keep positive thoughts that things go well for me.  So far, I've been lucky.  I have no reason to believe that my luck will run out.

I agree that this feels like a race.  I will be ringing the bell at the rads center on Monday.  I hope I don't cry.

Proud to stand on the podium with you ladies!

woohoo Karen we are on the back side!

I have used Biafine, put I was post-rad. Does anyone know if that is Radiation safe?

Almost done!

Babette....I hope all stays the same till the end then heals!  That bell is gonna ring soon for you!!!! 

Belinda....soon for you too!  No bell at our center.  

Kara....hopefully it will go by quickly with hardly any SE's.  

Onvacation....getting closer!!!!

Kj.....1/2 way tomorrow yeahhhhh!!!

Isabelle....15 minutes lets hope it stays that way or better yet less time!!!

Tab....now it's on to the 3/4 mark!

Detroit.....Welcome to the group glad your 1/2 way there!  

Regarding Biofine, I was prescribed this and happy that my insurance picked up some of the cost, my copay was high, I think $45.  It is safe during treatment, but of course you are not to use anything for 4 hours prior.  I also use over the counter hydrocortisone cream and some aquafore.  Doc said I can use these all together, so I layer them on.

I am going to have treatment 19 today.....the pink then red and all the dermatitis started at treatment 13.....hmmmm, that seems appropriate, lucky 13!

For those still looking for bras, I am wearing the coobie, size XL, so far that is the best for me.  I'm about a 36C or D.

I know I've been quiet.....sneaking in to join the party. 

Onvacation:  I have exactly the same symptoms-just started today. For those of you who don't know, Kim (onvaca) and I are on the exactly same schedule.

Julz:  Thanks for the well wishes.   

Isabelle:  You can't cut a break, can you?

Tab:  Way to go!

Babette:  Hope you continue to be going okay. 

Tomorrow #9 and I am the only passenger...should be a quicker trip...2 1/2 hours....very sore shoulder arm boob....do not think it is the rads...not sure...barely pink.....slept 2 hours this afternoon...I was so tired but I know it could be worse.   cheers to all of you.