Summer Rads 2014

longisland...I am not as tired at all like I was from chemo...I have had 17 rads .....I am 7 weeks out from last chemo...I have done a lot more and went to pt so I am doing upper body exercises and stretching ...my problem are my legs and sometimes my entire body aches...need to figure that one out...almost like the aches from neulesta shot!  But rads is easier just tiresome going everyday!  Good luck!

Sunshine, oh how exciting to see the little one. I miss that. My dd is only 20 so want them but can wait. I have grand piggies. LOL guinea pigs. So glad you enjoyed your trip. And it is sad that one so young has to know a bad boobie.

As for changing us, yes I agree. I don't bother with bs anymore. My emotions are still running a little thinner than I think they should. My sister, she is a nurse, keeps telling me not to sweat, it they will settle down. Some things just aren't that important anymore.

I love everyone's attitude and insight. You are great ladies! We are learning from each other.

LongIsland, my fatigue was minimal to moderate I'd say. That means a nap in the afternoon a few times a week was needed but I did all other activities. The evenings might be tough if you can't "rest" during some days. Some days I just needed to sit and put my feet up for a half hour and that was enough. I actually ran/walked a 5k race 5 wks into rads. It's something I've done every year for the past 8 yrs and didn't want yo miss it. It was a big accomplishment for me this year but felt great to "be in control" of my body again. (Btw, I grew up in commack, living upstate now)

I was so excited when my leg hair started growing back also. About 3-4 wks PFC. But now I wish it wasn't. Can't we choose where our hair will grow? Too bad

Izzysmom, DH won't always get it...but we will so you can tell us anything. Actually no one really gets it except for those who have been there

Rosie, debster, peterandwendy, ohiofan...yes, yes, yes!

Flatinfl, love your hair and smile! Welcome! And I finished on fri too!!

Hi Ktjay, I am 14 of 33 so far no problems other then fatigue. I also have permanent implants, was told of possible problems, so far so good hoping for the best. Best of luck to you. Congrats, Lisa, great post.

I just finished rads 4 days ago. Can anyone tell me what their experiece was regarding recovery of your energy level. How many days, weeks, months before you started to feel some progress?

Ktjay--I sympathize with your concerns for radiation.  You need to gather all the information that is pertinent to your case:  age, grade of tumor, hormone status, extracapsular extension or not, etc.  My SO and RO said yes with no hesitation.   Lymphedema was a big concern for me and the basis of my MO suggesting I not go through the radiation. The deciding factor was looking at the studies that showed the benefits for patients with 1-3 nodes and large tumors.   My LE and cording started before the radiation 6 months ago-I had 54 lymph nodes removed.  My LE was controlled through PT with a certified LE specialist 3 months ago.  Radiation has brought back the LE worse than before.  I see my PT this week to get the LE under control.  If you notice any of the LE symptoms during radiation, please ask your RO for a referral--the pt can be a big big help.

Longisland--after 20 weeks of chemo, my energy level seems to have gone up on radiation--there have been a few days that I needed naps, but for the most part I feel better energy wise now with very little fatigue--I wish the same for you.

Week one done. Have #5 today. Going good so far and traffic has been fairly good, considering I leave Tx when rush hour is starting. My rad appmt Thurs & Friday I was in and out in  15-20 total! I was so stoked! Went camping and commuted back and forth Thurs & Friday with no problems. The mountajns were beautiful.

Congtrats to todays bell ringers!!

Well, off to work and then Tx!

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the boards and I wanted to post earlier, but life as you know can be busy. I was diagnosed with Stage 2B cancer a day after my husband was released from the hospital from a near fatal heart attack. I'm lucky he is still here with me. He is doing well and now I'm trying to get through rads. I'm 19/33 as of today. I'm having radiation to the left breast, armpit and clavicle area. I've noticed my neck, breast and back are turning a pretty shade of pink. My underarm is more red. I'm hoping I don't blister and of course anxious about this whole radiation journey. I've had some fatigue, but it seems to come and go. I tried to bargain with my RO about shortening my rad treatments by a week, but it was a no go! With everything else that has gone on this year (including the death of my mother (Alzheimer's) and my sister, I'm just an emotional wreck. I thought by posting on this board it may be therapeutic for me. Knowing that others are going through some of the same worries as myself helps me know I'm not alone.

I elected to have a lumpectomy. My tumor was 2.4 cm and I had one node that tested positive. I did have some LVI. Hence, why they are concentrating on the underarm area. I had a OncotypeDX score of 16. My MO left it up to me rather I should have chemo or not and I opted out and decided to go with the radiation and will be put on an aromatase inhibitor after I have completed radiation.

A little more information about me---I'm a 55 year old woman, married for 36 years and I have four wonderful grown children. I'm a grandma to seven beautiful grandchildren and I have a Persian cat by the name of Boogie. I use to instruct at our local community college and I also owned an antique store. I had to give up both due to illness. I'm so very pleased to "meet" everyone and I hope only the very best for all of you.

Best,

Julie

peterandwendy, sounds like a tough day for you...and on a Monday which is tough anyway. Take the time you need please. You need your energy for healing. Your body is telling you something, so you need to listen. I hope you can take some time off work. Regarding the LE go back and see your lymphedema therapist. Are you wearing a compression garment? They may be able to work the fluid out better than you can do it yourself although the self MLD still should be done daily. 

Welcome jstundie, you will find great support here. Go back and read pages from earlier on it will help and also the lumpectomy forum(lumpectomy lounge), which I frequent also. I'm 54 and also a L lumpectomy. Just finished rads 7/25/14 with just slight skin issues. I also did chemo. It has been a godsend to have these women to talk to about anything. And I mean ANYTHING that is on your mind or you wonder about. It is a totally safe place with great information available.

Lyzzysmom, have you been to a physical therapist? My RO wrote me a referral. Good thing, I'd been having some tenderness near my ribs on my back and it turns out irritation & pain from the radiation (esp around my lymph node scar) gave me muscle knots elsewhere. My PT has been working on easing them, she also gave me a bunch of exercises.

LongIsland, re. fatigue, I think it depends a lot on the individual but I do know that keeping active and exercising helps, even though that seems counter-intuitive. I can say I've been more active now that chemo is done, and the radiation fatigue has been very mild in comparison to chemo. It only started to hit me around day 17 of 20. 

Hmm, I think one of the harder aspects of keeping physically active is figuring out how to do things w/o a bra...(I gave up mine about a week ago).

Julie - sorry about all the Stuff going lately, here's a warm welcome!

Congrats Ddgm and PinkCarn -

Tomorrow is my last rad treatment!  Can't wait for graduation!!

Coastal, Thanks for the advice. I have not seen a PT although the RO nurse gave me a couple of exercises and which I have to confess I have not done much recently as I thought my ROM was back to normal. Will discuss at next appt.

As for a bra. I have only worn one once in the last few weeks and I could not wait to take it off again.I have been doing exercise mainly using recumbent bike while doing sets with hand weights, all low impact. I used to do an exercise video with jumping jacks. I don't think so LOL!!

Hello ladies my name is Susu  I have been on this site on the waiting for results. Still learning how to get around this site..I have been reading all the post. Y'all are all great and caring. I was dx at the end of June. Stage 1 grade1 0 lymph nodes involved. I have app with RO this week for my consultation. Not sure when I will get started. I'm having a healing problem on my lumpectomy  site Ugg!  My lymph   node incision is doing great but this lumpectomy is what they call weeping ??? I told them I was weeping LOL!  I hope it doesn't delay my treatment for very long. Has anyone had this healing problem after there surgery.  It's rally uncomfortable. Also I have heart problems. Just wondering if it affects the heart..my cancer is in the left breast. I have tried to look this up on but all they talk about is it can cause heart issues. Wondering what it does to someone who already have heart prob. I'm really doing good concerning my DX. I went through this with my twin sister 12 years ago I lost her a year ago..not from cancer she died in her sleep with a embolism. Hardest thing I have ever been through in my life. Maybe this is why I have taken this so well. Having BC is nothing compared with her loss..this is a wonderful support group with all the sisters out there that truly care. At some point I will have 6 weeks of radiation. Any info I can get would be appreciated. Thanks so much for all y'all do 

Thank you for the wonderful welcome!

Amelia, your rad treatment does sound just like mine. I'm having 25 to the entire and 8 boosts. I keep telling myself I can do this!

Sunshineinky, thank you so much for the encouragement! If you want to get rich quick---invest in Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel and Vanicream. I'm using it like crazy. I'm drinking water constantly too. At my age, after drinking all that water you have to be careful you don't unexpectedly sneeze or cough.

Lisa, thank you for informing me of the other threads. It's always wonderful to meet new people.

Crazywabbit, I'm sorry you had such a hard time, but I'm so happy to read you are healing nicely.

Iyzzysmom, thank you for all the encouragement. I love dogs too!

CoastalXPat, CONGRATULATIONS  on this being your last treatment!

Well I have better get ready to go get treatment 20 done. I'm so blessed, my husband drives me everyday. He insists he likes doing it. It takes an hour to get to my treatment center, but it gives us time to talk or just to count telephone poles!

Have a fantastic day everyone.

Woohoo!! 

I AM DONE!!!  

Congratulations, Sam and welcome, Jstundie and Susu.          15 of 33 today and doing pretty well, some tightness too, Vicki and the fatigue has hit big time, my skin is holding up well so far. Best of luck to all. Stephanie