Summer Rads 2014

Barbara, it was fabulous. At least I thought so. The dogs can go everywhere in the grounds on leash apart from the pool, main restaurant (but you can eat in the lounge) , and the spa. The grounds are beautiful and the food a little pricey but good, especially if you want to take your dog to dinner!! We had plenty of room and a door that opened right onto the back lawn area which was great for taking the dog outside. The dogs can't go on the beach until October but we found a dog park in South Portland that had a great swimming hole. Here is a photo of the grounds and also Lyzzy at the pond in the dog park.

Mortmain  I have 16 of 35 to go. For me the fatigue has been sporadic. Sunday I did a million things in the house. I work full time and Monday was like any other day but the following day I crashed. I took a nap in the conference at 2:30 only to wake up an hour later even more fatigued. I made it to 5PM but I went to bed at 8, fell asleep at 9 and woke up this morning like nothing happened.

So frankly it has not escalated for me but there is a great deal of ups and downs. I have not yet missed a single day of work. I have left early. I am 2nd in command here so no one prevents me from leaving other than my sense of responsibility.

This rad thing is weird but I am grateful everyday that the technology exists.

Sunshine, just want to say I am so sorry to hear you have to be dealing with this on top of all the other CRAP we go through. It's really hard not to ask "why me" when life keeps piling  *#%* on top of us. Thinking of you and sending prayers that you will continue to find the strength to deal with this.

oh sunshine...I am so sorry about this...wtf?  So sorry. Rosie

OMG Sunshine, I am so so sorry. How devastating.You did nothing to deserve this. It was HIS actions not yours. Don't let him turn it around and blame you.  I am here for you girlfriend.  Stay strong. Hugs, hugs and more hugs.

Sunshine, I am so sorry!! What a b*d to do something like that especially with everything you have been going through. It's just so unfair. ((((HUGS)))).

Hi friends.  I just completed my 25th whole breast radiation and begin the first of 8 boosts tomorrow.  Is there anything different you experienced with the boosts as opposed to the whole breast radiation? 

Longislandl8y--

Boosts are quicker--that was it for me.  So glad you're almost done.

Congrats MJ!!! Can you pack me in your suitcase......LOL...........Enjoy! you deserve it.

Diablo, I had a lot of inflammation from rads, had bumps and lumps, it seems to be settling down. Hope that is all with you. Another crossed fingers here!

Longisland, Boosts are much usually much faster. Did get a little more "tan" where the boosts were, and I am still having some soreness. But skin is fine. 

Sunshineinky,  I can tell from your photo that you are a beautiful woman.  Only you can say what will happen down the road, but I can tell from your post that you are just as beautiful inside. 

Sunshine...I'm sorry you have to go through this.  I like your grandma's philosophy though  

I'm still dealing with very red, sore skin under my arm.  The Silvadene and Aquaphor I apply twice a day is just barely getting me through...it's so painful!  And that's saying a lot since the entire area is usually numb from my original surgery. Only three more treatments...crossing my fingers the skin stays intact through Wednesday!

My radiation oncologist never mentioned boosts.  I see many of you are getting boosts, but I'm curious if I'm the only one not getting this type of radiation.  Is it true the boosts are easier on the skin? I wonder why my center isn't offering this particular treatment in my case?  

Wishing you all a great day!

I am appealing my  CIGNA insurance right this moment.  My radiation oncologist's administrator is supporting my case as best they can. They let me know q mere 10 days before my scheduled surgery. I was floored. I meet all criteria, otherwise healthy, over 50. post menopausal  Stage 1 IDC less than 1 cm and  all the pathology is  he way my breast surgeon wanted it to be. She said I am lucky to qualify.  Two doctors that treated my sisters cancer have faith in the IORT.  I trust them but made my own decision of course. The expedited appeal can still take longer than I have to wait. So I am paying for the IORT about 1300 dollars and if they ( CIGNA)  don't cover the hospital  services and physicians fees I guess they will get whatever we can afford to pay over the years when the bills start coming in 30 days from September 24, 2014. My life is my choice over their insurance collaborators decisions.  Wish me luck. 4 days.

Daft, good luck.  I hate this whole insurance mess. They love to play around with women's lives, don't they? I'm sure if it was their family members in this situation they would approve it. Common sense would dictate paying early and getting treated early, rather than deny coverage and then have to pay much more for a more advance stage of cancer.

By the time all our family deductibles, etc were met, and insurance covered everything else, we still amassed quite a large debt. We will be paying it for years.  The scary thing is if we didn't have insurance we'd probably end up losing our house and declaring bankruptcy. The charges for one day of chemo were astronomical.

Sunshine, I too have always thought how lovely your photo is. I think I would have shown less restraint! You need to look after yourself, put yourself first and do whatever is best for you. 

Daft, I hope your insurance works out. Denial of coverage for cancer treatments just seems plain evil to me.

so I am 11 days post rad and skin is healing nicely. Some itch and zingers now and then. I have appmt w MO tomorrow. Not sure what it'll consist of since he told me before no post hormone therapy as I'm ER- PR- and had DCIS. Probably more coaching on diet and exercise, which I've been trying hard to change. I dropped 20 lbs but during rad they wanted me on high protein which really = higher calories too. The result was 10 lbs back. Argh!

Sunshine, hugs and thinking of you. You know what's best.

Jbok, love the new deco spots!

Louanne, I hear you on workload! I made it through annual audit with good report, got rating upgrade on our bond rating done, now working on responses to strategic plannjng and 2015 budget prep. My 1/2 days working w 1/2 days off are about done I fear!

I went to our annual medical ins renewal/rate meeting and learned more on how ins companies are setting rates for Rx and also high cost claims. Guess I contributed to this category. Seems weird.