Fall 2013 Rads

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Comments

  • wyo
    wyo Member Posts: 541
    edited January 2014

    I am laughing out loud in a room by myself (uh oh)  did the beanbag chairs deter the tortoise and the grizzly??? just asking. 

    I hope you like the book bluebird- I have met the author twice and she came to our christmas party this year as a guest speaker- not a young woman by any means but her writing is simple and in many ways elegant.  She gives us permission in the second half of our lives to explore and be what we always thought we could.  I was inspired by her message and her experiences with cultures all over the world. 

    66- I have used argan oil (a bit pricey) but I added a few drops of cypress oil and massage it into my incision lines.  Tell me again why vitamin e oil is bad- its so much cheaper and I like it just as well but there must be something "wrong" with it as its 10 x cheaper haha

  • sloyd66
    sloyd66 Member Posts: 202
    edited January 2014

    Wyo i hsve a gd fruend who do all nstural stuff, and she getd my pergum oula for me. I asjes her to ger me something and she got me that. Its 100%...She said its gd, i trust her but was checking. She noemslly sale tge size she gave me for 12.00 but gave it to me for free. Its a nixe size. Ill use it at night since its so oily.

  • sloyd66
    sloyd66 Member Posts: 202
    edited January 2014

    Wyo vitsmin  is bad ur saying? Why!?

  • FierceBluebird
    FierceBluebird Member Posts: 758
    edited January 2014

    Vitamin E is okay to use after radiation treatment is done, but not during. Any oils or vitamin antioxidants can interfere with the radiation being able to do it's job. 

    Make a note...bean bag chairs are not effective deterrents when trying to slow down attack tortoises and grizzlies.

  • Shalimar630
    Shalimar630 Member Posts: 100
    edited January 2014

    Bluebird, fast turtles, LOL. 

    sloyd66: Do you mean for cooking or moisturizing?

  • sloyd66
    sloyd66 Member Posts: 202
    edited January 2014

    Hi bluebird, yes i think im not going to use it til im finish. Just stick with aquarphor which is doing gd for me, 

  • TanyaF
    TanyaF Member Posts: 54
    edited January 2014

    DONE! The boosts were not bad at all and the rest of my breast is healing nicely. I am so glad to be done with active treatment.

    Going to see MO today and I'll probably get me bottle of tamoxifen.

  • FierceBluebird
    FierceBluebird Member Posts: 758
    edited January 2014
  • canuck46
    canuck46 Member Posts: 93
    edited January 2014

    Happy Dance Tanya!  Go celebrate.

    I've been using vitamin E on my scars and RO said that was fine.  I bought some at Trader Joes and just noticed that it is mixed with soybean oil - isn't that supposed to be bad?  I was told to be careful with soy consumption so does this fall into that category?  Hope someone knows the answer.

    Hugs to all, Marilyn

  • LisaSp
    LisaSp Member Posts: 253
    edited January 2014

    Yay Tanya! Done with rads! Congrats!

    Bounce, Bluebird, Shalimar: What you are all talking about: being at loose ends after treatment is VERY common with all cancer patients. We have all been through a whirlwind of doctors and therapies and weird life adjustments and crazy emotions. Then BANG! Suddenly it stops.

    I saw my MO in the beginning of this month. I don't see her again for a YEAR! I see my BS in Feb. , the RO in March  and my gyn somewhere in there. My next mammography (which I already dread) will be in May. I'll have to get my first colonoscopy sometime this year (oh goody).

    So now what? Because of this loose ends feeling I decided to go to the local cancer support organization's activities. So now: yoga every Monday, breast cancer survivor Pilates every Wed., every other week all cancer pts. support group. I can also go to a breast cancer group once a month. 

    I cannot stress how helpful this is to me. I urge any of you who are interested to google 'cancer support' and your city or state. I know these resources are available nationally and they are amazing. And everything I attend is free and run by professional instructors or counselors!

    Marilyn: I don't think using soybean oil externally will make as much difference as ingesting soy. Also the new thought is its not necessary to avoid it completely, just use it sparingly if your tumor was estrogen positive.

  • joannaraku
    joannaraku Member Posts: 30
    edited January 2014

    LisaSp thank you for telling me about the cancer support. I didn't know about it.

  • wyo
    wyo Member Posts: 541
    edited January 2014

    we have a fantastic cancer support community center here too.  I go to yoga whenever I can- have not done the classes on everything from nutrition to reviewing the research etc.  Nice group of people too

  • LisaSp
    LisaSp Member Posts: 253
    edited January 2014

    You're welcome Joanna. I hope you can find support similar to what I've found close to you.

  • LisaSp
    LisaSp Member Posts: 253
    edited January 2014

    hey look what I did for fun today!

    image

  • MsPharoah
    MsPharoah Member Posts: 1,034
    edited January 2014

    Lisa.....Wow, good for you!  Your smile says it all.   I got my first trim on thurs. and my dh and I are going out for dinner tonight and I am going topless!  I was thinking about going platinum blonde, so you have inspired me. 

    Way to go Lisa....have fun!

    Love, MsP

  • lindacam
    lindacam Member Posts: 161
    edited January 2014

    I finished rads 3 weeks ago...have not had BMX yet.  Does anyone else feel shooting pains in breast?  Just mild pain and burning.  Skin looks good just dry and peeling.

  • 70charger
    70charger Member Posts: 963
    edited January 2014

    Lindacam  yup.  They come & go. I do not get them as often now.  My last rad was Jan 3rd.

  • 70charger
    70charger Member Posts: 963
    edited January 2014

    Anyone know how long we have to use cream once we are done rads?

  • Shalimar630
    Shalimar630 Member Posts: 100
    edited January 2014

    Charger, my RO said to use cream for two weeks until she saw me again, which is tomorrow. So will find out then if I have to continue. My skin looks pretty good at the moment, very little color change. Breast is pretty swollen, which she says could last for years. Years?

    Lisa, thanks for the info. I am meeting with the cancer center advocate tomorrow. Would like to get into yoga, but didn't think to ask her. I've looked at local centers, but would prefer classes relative to us. She conducts a support group which I saw a couple times when I was there for treatment, but my gosh, that group looked really depressing. I listened a bit and was not sure that this particular group would be the one for me. 

    I will be seeing my BS, RO, and MO every three months for the first two years is what I've been told. My BS told me last week I would also be getting my mamm in May. That gives me the jitters. At the moment I can't imagine getting squashed, ow. Am seeing my RO and MO this week. Let's see if they all tell me the same thing, ha, just for fun.

    Wishing everyone a soothing week.

  • wyo
    wyo Member Posts: 541
    edited January 2014

    Hi Shalimar- 

    Just got home from yoga class so don't hesitate if you are interested.  My local cancer support center has great yoga classes and I get there when I can (free too)  but most yoga studios always start every class asking if anyone has any illness/injuries they are dealing with- its best to let the instructor know- you don't have to announce to the class just tell them before it starts.  

    Restorative yoga is a good place to start for anyone recovering from surgery and not taken yoga before- no experience necessary.  PM me if you want to discuss  more. 

    j

  • LisaSp
    LisaSp Member Posts: 253
    edited January 2014

    Shalimar: You're welcome. If you want to know in more detail about how to find cancer support close to you, contact the American Cancer Society (local offices everywhere) and google Hope Connections or Gilda's Place and your nearest city/town. I go to a Hope Connections center and there is so much support there I am so grateful.

  • LisaSp
    LisaSp Member Posts: 253
    edited January 2014

    oh and thanks Ms. P for the compliment! I did more craziness to my hair yesterday, purple and blue! I hope you had a great dinner and went platinum !

  • MsPharoah
    MsPharoah Member Posts: 1,034
    edited January 2014

    Lisa, I haven't gone platinum yet but we did go out to dinner on Saturday and I went without my wig.  The wait staff there know us very well and if they were shocked, they didn't let on.  (This is a 5 star restaurnant and they are used to minding their manners.  LOL)   I think they knew that something was not right last year.  Maybe they know, maybe they don't, but I was not uncomfortable at all at dinner.  I am now going wigless except at work....just don't have the guts for that shocker yet....as only a few people know about my cancer treatment. 

    I wanted to maintain privacy and I have been able to do so very well, but sporting the

    Good luck and have fun with all the colors!

    Love, MsP

  • sloyd66
    sloyd66 Member Posts: 202
    edited January 2014

    Hi Everyone, the weather out here is horrible, I went for my treatment and told my job I'm heading home, thank God I did... Don't think tomorrow going to be good as snow is to continue until 9am. I just hate missing treatments.. I missed one jan 3 due to this weather, I tried to get there, now tomorrow.. I hate that because it pushes my time back. But question the sleeve how do you determine the size to get? and what's the difference between standard and long length? =)

  • MsPharoah
    MsPharoah Member Posts: 1,034
    edited January 2014

    Sloyd, are you talking about a compression sleeve?  If so, I got a RX for my sleeve and was fitted by a company who are experts at fitting compression garments.  They measured me in a lot of places and I tried on multiple sleeves before we found the right one as different brands fit differently.  Hope that helps.  Check with your doc and they should give you a referral.

    MsP

  • sloyd66
    sloyd66 Member Posts: 202
    edited January 2014
  • Bounce
    Bounce Member Posts: 574
    edited January 2014

    Shalimar630 - I hope you are feeling OK.

    LisaSp - I love your hair.  My daughter once dyed some of her hair red when she was a lot younger and it freaked me out!  Now!  I wish I had the courage to do it myself.

    Its nice to see you having fun.

    I have unruly hair (to say the least) and I can just imagine what I would look like with unruly blue hair!    

    I still get very tired easily but I have accepted this - am not raging against it - so I try plan my time a bit better so I can have work time and rest time.  And when I am pooped out I don't feel bad about it - then it passes.

    I have also decided to try and remember to have some fun each week.  This evening I am off to an evening of meditation.  I saw an advert for it and spur of the moment decided to go.

    I checked I won't be sitting on the floor - that is as much as I know about the evening.  Its an adventure.

    I am off to find out who the new me is.  I just have to remember to stay upbeat as a choice.  Radiation and Tamoxifen slightly fried my brain and I forget things a lot!  I have to make a note somewhere to keep looking for new fun things to do until I find some.

    Some kind of exercise is next on my list.

    Its a pity "forgetting" isn't an Olympic Event.  I would win gold.

  • Shalimar630
    Shalimar630 Member Posts: 100
    edited January 2014

    Congrats Tanya! How are you feeling, any fatigue?

    I asked my BS last week about flying and if I needed a compression sleeve. She didn't think I needed to, but suggested I take aspirin before each flight.

    I saw my RO Tues and my MO today. My RO also said I would be having my mamm at six months out, so that agrees with my BS. She also said I should use lotion a couple times of week for an indeterminate amount of time. Said radiated breast would remain dryer. I will be starting Arimidex next week. Hope no SE. I am just barely estrogen positive so not even sure how much benefit I will gain from it, but I want to do what I can...

    Bounce, how did your meditation go? I am anxious to hear. I've picked up some relaxation cd's. Haven't tried them yet as I'm having trouble figuring out where to relax with grandkids in the house.

  • Bounce
    Bounce Member Posts: 574
    edited January 2014

    Hi Shalimar630

    I am glad I went as it was a change in routine and something new.

    I enjoyed the evening well enough.  Only problem is that there was incense burning and I found the smell overwhelming.

    I wish I had said something before the meditation started - once it began I did not want to be rude and interrupt!

    I think CD's would be a great idea.  The bathroom might be the only place to get some privacy.  Or maybe lying down in your room with the door locked.

    I am going to try and find a guided meditation on YouTube that I enjoy.  When I do I will let you know which one - though I think different things appeal to different people.

    I think something loaded with positive suggestions is great - not just relaxation.

    Living with grandchildren must be quite a challenge.

  • Annie54
    Annie54 Member Posts: 247
    edited January 2014

    Hello Ladies,

    This may have been discussed before so forgive me if it has! I finished rads at the end of October and did well. No problems at all, skin held up and my breast was "calm and quiet" until the last couple of weeks. Now I've got some slight tenderness throughout my bc breast and armpit when I reach overhead for something. I'm thinking it may just be the nerves that were fried waking up and regenerating finally....but not sure. Anyone else experience this? I have an appt with my onc on Monday so will ask him - but just wondering if any one else has been through this.

    Thanks

    Annie

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