Winter 2013-2014 Rads

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  • Marie715
    Marie715 Member Posts: 46
    edited April 2014

    Tomorrow (April 28th) is my last radiation tx.  This journey started in July 2013 for me. While I should be celebrating up a storm because I got through all of those scans, chemo, surgery and radiation,  I don't feel like celebrating because I feel like bad news is just around the corner.  I'm one of those people who is waiting for the other shoe to drop.  I'm going to a post-treatment breast cancer support group meeting on Monday, May 5th.  I look forward to talking to those women.  

    Although I seldom post, I do want to acknowledge that this site has been of great comfort to me.  I appreciate those that do post and share their experiences.

  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited April 2014

    Marie - congratulations.  I understand about the post-treatment blues.  I've been prone to unexplained weepiness for no reason.  Hope the group is good.  Do let us know.

  • RedReading
    RedReading Member Posts: 2,143
    edited April 2014

    Marie and Minus Two, I have those  post treatment blues too. Its like suddenly there is nothing happening and for some reason I feel I have to keep this moving forward. That's why I joined WellFit. It's for women who are done with their treatment and want to get physically healthier. I exercise (with a heart monitor) twice a week with other women like me. I've been going for 3 weeks. Maybe there is something like that in your area, then you can keep fighting and not waiting for the other shoe to drop. ((gentle hugs))

  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited April 2014

    Thanks Red for the verification.  I signed up for Look Good/Feel Better.  I just didn't feel like going during treatment so I'll go in May.   Also I'm signing up for 'chair yoga' whatever that turns out to be.  And I got the OK from my BS to do water aerobics w/my port in place.  Hope I'll get the OK from MO tomorrow too.  Onward & upward!!

  • flagirl
    flagirl Member Posts: 144
    edited May 2014

    I had my treatment today and decided I was going to my primary dr for bronchitis.  I have been coughing for a few weeks now but just ignored the symptoms thinking it was the rads.  I have been totally bedridden since Wed. so decided I need to get it checked out. Went to the RO nurse to ask if I could take antibiotics and she said it would probably make me feel better.  No offer to examine me so I went to my primary care dr and got the antibiotic and an inhaler. She wanted to order an xray suspects pneumonia, but told her I need to check with RO before getting a chest xray. She said if I am not better by Monday I should have the xray done and probably the RO will cancel Rads. Ugh, SO ready to get this done and over just have 4 more regular.. Hoping I am better by Monday :(((

    Happy Fri to all - enjoy your break. Looks like we are doing OK so far for the most part. One more week down!!!

  • Miminiemi
    Miminiemi Member Posts: 340
    edited May 2014

    Hope you're feeling better Flagirl.  I too got sick with cough and fever immediately after rads, not during.  By immediately I mean the very night I finished.  I thought I was having hot flashes from the Arimidex I started that night.  Turned out to be 102 fever.  Not associated with anything but flu, but it's so hard to tell in the middle of all the other treatments.  Healing thoughts for you tonight.

  • flagirl
    flagirl Member Posts: 144
    edited May 2014

    Mimi thanks I am doing better. Gonna limp through weekend so I can continue with my treatments Mon. Only 4 left. Have an awesome  break this weekend.

  • RedReading
    RedReading Member Posts: 2,143
    edited May 2014

    Flagirl, good luck with the last 4 treatments. We'll have a pocket party on your last day, to cheer you on. 

    Mimi, long time no see. Missed you.

    BigD, missing you too babygirl. 

  • Miminiemi
    Miminiemi Member Posts: 340
    edited May 2014

    Hmmmm just in the last couple days the bad girl has started to feel a little mild ache once in a while.  Have my MO appointment Monday, but don't want to hear it means anything.  Seems more likely nerves still healing.  I hope.  She does a blood draw for all visits, but the nurses just weren't getting it done without four or so sticks.  So this time I said I wanted to go to the lab first.  No problem.  Those ladies draw blood all day every day instead of once every two weeks.  First try:  success.  That's the route for me from now on.  And it turned out to be a friends daughter.  My lucky day.

  • RedReading
    RedReading Member Posts: 2,143
    edited May 2014

    Yay for only 1 poke Mimi. Don't fret, it probably is just nerves repairing themselves. I asked about it at my last tamoxifen meeting and 1/2 the girls there were experiencing the same. 25% were getting it in to good breast too. Not sure why, but tests showed nothing there. Wear something with big pockets and we'll come with you Monday.

  • Miminiemi
    Miminiemi Member Posts: 340
    edited May 2014

    Thanks Red.  There are no meetings around here, so it's nice to have a group here.

  • flagirl
    flagirl Member Posts: 144
    edited May 2014

    Mimi I have had 32 RAD treatments and not one blood test.  Not one blood test from surgeon, oncologist or radiologist.  I find that very weird.  On my last treatment tomorrow and I will be ALL DONE!  Cough is subsiding and I am getting my energy back.  Good luck everyone only two more days before the weekend break.  I will be checking in now and then.  I thank all of you for your support and good info.  This site has helped me a great deal and given me the courage and the where with all to get through this.

    Have a great weekend all, I will pop back in and let you know how I do post RADS. HUGS

  • RedReading
    RedReading Member Posts: 2,143
    edited May 2014

    Flagirl, yay on finishing rads!!! I also have not had a single blood test since all this started. I also find it weird. I'm going to ask my pcp about that tomorrow. 

    Pocket party for Flagirl!!! All done rads tomorrow and we will be there to celebrate with her. I've got wine cheese and music. Who's in?

  • Miminiemi
    Miminiemi Member Posts: 340
    edited May 2014

    I'll sip a little wine to celebrate for Flagirl.  Soon you'll forget you ever went for those treatments.  Hurrah!

  • flagirl
    flagirl Member Posts: 144
    edited May 2014

    Thanks Red and Mini

    Red I was wondering how long after rads before skin starts to settle down?  My under breast fold is the worst and I  am using the Epson salts baths twice a day then applying natural aloe plant then aquafore and let it soak in  a bit and put cornstarch powder  in fold to dry it out some and help with friction.  Shirtless is the best at this point.  My energy level is major today, probably everything catching up with me.  I am just going to give in a few more days  (the weekend) and hope I feel better Monday and can begin to resume to some level of activity. Yeah I am seeing my Onc Monday and I plan to ask about bloodwork too!

     Have a good weekend HUGs

  • RedReading
    RedReading Member Posts: 2,143
    edited May 2014

    Flagirl, I found it took about 2 weeks after rads finished before I just looked tanned and not burned, and before the majority of my skin problems were gone. Glad to hear that the Epsom Salt baths are helping. I found the underside of my breast took the longest to heal - maybe another week after all else was good. By then I had switched from the Glaxal base lotion to the cream. I found it eliminated the friction better thus allowing my body to continue healing. It's thicker and hung around a lot longer too, without wrecking my clothes. Totally topless is the best, no creams or lotions at all, but it disconcerts people at the mall. lol

    Hope your appointment goes well, we'll be there for you. Hugs.

  • flagirl
    flagirl Member Posts: 144
    edited May 2014

    thanks red I am so over the aquafore. I think I will try eucerin for awhile. Better today slight peeling. So tired no energy. I am sure this too shall pass.

  • flagirl
    flagirl Member Posts: 144
    edited May 2014

    Happy Mother's Day! Today my puppy was born (yorkie).  We named him Pips, he weighs 3 oz at birth. 

    image

    So happy, can't wait to get him home - July 6th. He is local so I will be able to visit him weekly til he is old enough to come home.  I now have something else to focus on besides BC!! He should be about 5 lbs at maturity.

  • RedReading
    RedReading Member Posts: 2,143
    edited May 2014

    Happy Mother's Day ladies. 

    Flagirl, too cute.

    20 years ago, on Mother's Day, my calico cat Honey was born. She's grouchier and pushier now, but she's still my girl. 

  • flagirl
    flagirl Member Posts: 144
    edited May 2014

    red LOL too cute, hope you enjoyed your day!

  • Miminiemi
    Miminiemi Member Posts: 340
    edited May 2014

    flagirl - What a sweet diversion..  I love my pouch even though she weighs 75 lbs.

  • RedReading
    RedReading Member Posts: 2,143
    edited May 2014

    Mimi, what kind of dog do you have. I have an incredibly dumb Blond Lab who weighs in at about 80 lbs and thinks she is a lapdog. I am told however, that they get smarter and calmer around 3 yrs old, so only another 4 months to go. I hope. Next dog is going to be smaller for sure Flagirl. I had Yorkies the whole time I was growing up - until I met my husband who constantly bamboozles me into believing that this dog or that is only going to be 35 or 40 lbs. You think I would have figured it out by now, eh? This Lab we have now, Cleo (short for Cleopatra, she does think she owns the world) was acquired thusly....

    My husband says, want to go for a burger? I said, certainly. Into the car and we drove and drove and drove. Finally, I said, where is this burger? He replied, Cambridge (about 20 miles away) and continued driving. Once in Cambridge he drove up and down little side streets forever it seemed until I said, where are we going? He replied, it has to be around here somewhere, and gave me the address. I found the place, townhouses. Hmmmm. O good, he says, and jumps out of the car, runs over to one of the townhouses and knocks. She greeted us at the door holding the cutest bundle of fur you ever did see.

    And that's the story of how I went out for a burger and came home with a puppy.

    The end. 

  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited May 2014

    Red - love it!!

  • RedReading
    RedReading Member Posts: 2,143
    edited May 2014

    Lol, MinusTwo - it does make a good story, but boy, I am almost as dumb as the dog.

  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited May 2014

    Well it could have been a rabbit.  I recently gave a batch of used towels to the animal shelter & asked if they needed hand towels & wash clothes too.  I was told yes for puppies, kittens and rabbits.  Hmmm.  Didn't ask about guinea pigs or snakes.

  • flagirl
    flagirl Member Posts: 144
    edited May 2014

    red cute story! You will get you yorkie lap dog some day; plenty if time for that!

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2014

    I'm a little over one month out from rads and I've developed a big red pimple under my armpit on the radiated side. Has anyone had anything like that since stopping radiation?

  • Miminiemi
    Miminiemi Member Posts: 340
    edited May 2014

    Red - I have a female golden retriever named Peggy, so that makes her Peggy O'Neill.  Maybe you know that Irish drinking song that was special to me and my DH.  She is just a year old.  I had to have my precious dog put down and could not live even two days alone.  a female golden was supposed to be smaller.  She is one big girl, long legged and slender even at 75 lbs.  Even the vet is surprised at her height.  Maybe she was a Las Vegas showgirl in her previous life.  I however an barely 5'2" and no one ever called me slender.  The advantage here is I don't need to lean down to pet her back, and she can rest her head on top of mine while sitting on the front steps.  

    Sorry Slow Deep Breaths, I cannot help with the under arm symptom.  But surely somebody can.

    I edited to correct crazy auto corrects. My computer is in for repair and I'm stuck with a very old iPad.

  • flagirl
    flagirl Member Posts: 144
    edited May 2014

    Hello all, just a quick update.  I am feeling great today and feel my energy coming back (I finished last Thursday).  I felt totally whipped all weekend but on Monday started feeling better.  Today I have had great energy and worked around the house for five hours without stopping.  It feels  good to be moving about and getting the blood flowin. The pups are growing and gaining weight and get their dew claws and tails docked tomorrow.  Hopefully, I can go and meet them next week to check them out and get to visit a few times before I pick one.  The breeder sent me five updated photos today, so cute.  I have a lot of projects that I want to get done before the pup arrives.  Good motivation!  Hang in there it does get better pretty quickly I must say. You are almost there and your life will become a new normal. YEY!!!  Hugs to all

  • bondsy
    bondsy Member Posts: 94
    edited May 2014

    Hello all,

    It's been about three and a half months since my radiation ended and I'm having some serious pains in the area under my arm and on the side of my breast. My range of motion is also very limited now. Anyone else having this pain? It started about a month ago. I'm doing some arm exercises, like making large circles with my arm, which seems to help a bit.

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