July 2012 Radiation

Babette: Congrats on almost being done.  I'll be cheering for you when you ring that bell!  And I think crying is a very normal reaction.

 Life is hard sometimes.  My brother died from a massive heart attack yesterday.  He was only 54.  He was a happy person with a huge appetite for life.  He loved to act and sing and was in community theater.  When we got together he made us all laugh.  I'm glad he lived long enough to see his daughter graduate from college.  He will be missed.  I'll be going back to CA for his funeral soon.  This is so hard for his wife, daughter and my father.  

Tab55 I am so sorry for your loss. 

Isabelle - I experienced some pain on and off toward the later part of my treatment. My RO said that the rads could aggravate the surgery site and that it wasn't unusual for there to be some pain and/or irritation during treatment. Ibuprofen did the trick for me on the owie days. Other days it didn't bother me as all. Hope your treatment zings by today.

Also, it's a little late now, but when I was a road warrior for work, I found books on CD's made the time in the car go by so much faster. It might make your ride seem a little shorter too. Be the Miracle, 50 Lessons for Making the Impossible Possible by Regina Brett is good. It's written by a cancer survivor who is (was?) a writer for a Cleveland paper). They are short stories/life lessons learned that can be listened to all at once or easily stopped and started because of the format. Many are from stories she came across as a reporter. She has another book written in the same vein out (whose name escapes me at the moment). Both were very inspirational to me and that was before my dx. I'm planning on reading them again. They are good reminders for anyone with or without cancer. Just a thought.

HAPPY you get a two day breather FRIDAY!

#9 rad......37 1/2% done  ...20 min. on the table ..I can live with that (haha  literally).  The drivers for the Canadian Cancer Society are so kind and considerate  and we are very fortunate to have them.   Had my own chauffer today so no waiting.    I brought my bananarama cookies & he gobbled them down.   Going to take some every trip.

Still barely pink but fatigue is setting in...yesterday I slept deeply (after my long haul) for 2 hours which is so unlike me,did not make it to my Thursday night mixed league cards & still slept all night.   What a change in lifestyle for Isabelle the energizer bunny or as my friends call me the whirling dervish.  Oh Isabelle stop whining.

Mini..thanks for the info & caring.       graced...up on the podium!  babetet you will be up there with her soon.

Tab55. so sorry about your brother.  I lost a brother at 48yrs of age....both much too young.

Karen - I should probably lube up more, right now 2 times a day - I go back to work after treatment, so don't lube up then, maybe I should do it when I get home.  I'm sure the more you do it the better your skin!  Looking forward to 2 days off rads!  Yea Friday!

Babette - Congrats on being almost done! I also give major kudos to those working and doing rads. I was off when I had mine and took that horrible Anastrozole. If I had been working, I probably would have been fired. Between the fatigue and the brain fog there is no way I could have done my job. I was a road warrior and dealt with a lot of numbers and a new software system and had a lot of stress. Had I not just resigned before I was diagnosed, I would have had to do FMLA.

I also cannot handle the heat well even now that I'm a month out of radiaiton. It doesn't help that this has been one of our hottest summers ever. You may feel a little out of sorts after your last treatment. I did for the first week or so. I felt like I had resigned from my job again after being there at 8:15 every day for so long. :-)

Graced - WHOO HOO! Congrats on crossing the finish line! Time to rest up and enjoy the beach. I hope you have a wonderful time.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Hi Ladies - I have been MIA since before my vacation a few weeks ago. I've been reading, but haven't been able to fully engage. I'm not sure why. I see some new ladies, and some have finished! YAY! I have completed by 25 regular and will start the 5 boosts tomorrow. I have had few SE's. My skin is really brown with some pink. I've had slight "sluffing off" of skin right in the fold under my breast, but it's not painful. I'm still wearing a bra.



My regular RO has been out of the country for 3 weeks, and I've had a sub. I actually like the sub so much more than the regular one, that I'm not looking forward to the Dr. visit tomorrow, but at least I'm almost finished and won't have to deal with him much longer



For those who went through chemo...I'm 7 week PFC and my hair is growing! I need to shave my legs, and my eyebrows are a mess. They are only 1/2 there but the half that is there is really thick! I can also see my hairline! It's pretty exciting to see the progress!



For those of you still in the thick of treatment...hang in there, take it one day at a time and it will be over before you know it!

kjiberty - can I just say the vacation was heavenly? It was just what I needed. A beautiful house on a lake, with my kids, sister and grandson. I just relaxed and let everyone else do the cooking and cleaning. It couldn't have been more perfect! I miscounted, I am actually 8 weeks PFC. I think you have more hair than I do. I'm not even close to going topless. I just dont have good coverage, but can see my hairline so that is a start.



the eyebrow thing is annoying isn't it?. I also have only 1/2 a brow, but very thick! I've tried to pluck, but think I need to get a professional wax to get some shape!



How is your energy level? I feel better everyday. I think the rads fatigue is very different from chemo fatigue. I no longer have that exhausted feeling. I remember telling everyone that I felt like I was 125, at the end of chemo. I'm starting to feel more and more like my old self. It's so encouraging!!



Babette - so your last treatment is tomorrow! What a big day for you. I know it has been a long road for you. How does it feel to be done with treatment? What hormonal will you be on?

Isabelle, Mini & Babette:  You all know how I feel.  I'm sorry you also lost a brother.  Hugs from me to you.

All: thanks for your kind words.  I spent much of the weekend going through photos and making a slide presentation for the service next weekend.  It was bittersweet with both laughter and tears.  I'm looking forward to going back to CA next weekend to celebrate his life and be with my family.  I want to share with you a picture of my brother and me when we were itty bitty kids (over 50 years ago!).   

Kjiberty - yes my vacation was up at intermediat Lake, just east of Torch Lake.

So sorry to hear about your brows, hopefully they will come back in all their glory!

I have not started tomoxifen, the MO wanted me to start, but I asked him if I could wait until after RADS and he agreed. I have an appointment on the 28th to see him and pick up my RX. I'm not looking forward to it, but will do whatever I can to keep the beast away!

Teacup - Great picture. I wish you well during this journey. It does get easier with time. I'm also glad there was laughter along with your tears. I have found that over the years the found memories have outweighed the sadness, although he will forever be in my heart.

kijiberty - You're from the mitten??? Where from, if  you don't mind my asking?

My husband aways said he missed his eyelashes the most when he chemo. Said he never realized how much stuff it kept out of his eyes before. His hair was kinky curly when it fell out. It grew back in slightly lighter but nearly straight. He was thrilled.

Babette your done Yeahhhh!

TAB I love the pic of you & your brother....Thinking of you!

Isabelle it sounds like your body is needing the rest!  Rest if you need it!

2 to go & I'm done!

babette:  Up to the podium...great for you.   I did #10/25 today Labour day weekend will be my last.

Babette: Congratulations!  I'll be done soon too.  I complete treatment 20 today.  I'm 60% done and only lucky 13 left :-)

Here's your certificate: 

Thanks, everyone, for posting thoughtful comments on my being finished with rads.  I appreciate the certificate, TAB55, and the happy dancing graphics, julz4.  I did not cry as I completed rads today.  I received a certificate, rang the bell, and hugged the staff.  You guys made me cry as I read your posts--not to worry--it was a happy cry.

I just took a shower to soak off the stickers and to take off the sharpie marks.  My breasts are now only slightly pink and marker free.  I'm going to go look at them in the mirror again.  I so enjoy seeing them without those ugly marks. 

Next, I'm going to pack up all the breast cancer stuff that people gave me.  I appreciate them giving me thoughtful gifts but I need to put it all away.  I'm moving on with my life and don't want to be constantly reminded by all the pink.