Carynbrit What positive developments! Largely because you spoke up for yourself - in a nice way. You certainly deserve a couple of good breaks.

feelingoverwhelmed;

Treatments start on Monday for me. I get what you're saying. We find ourselves here..one day at a time and we'll get through this.

I'm doing 35 rads so I'll be walking this path with you.

((((hugs)))

This is our list of Winter Warriors as of January 17, 2015 - I'll do my best to keep it current. Let me know if it needs a change. 

October / November Start

MeneK – Oct 24 .................... MagicalBean - Oct 28......... Mmtagirl - Nov 3

MarieBernice6234 - Nov 4  ... Hope50 - Nov 5 ..................  dennyvol - Nov 5

CAS4 - Nov 6 ........................ Beachbaby65 - Nov 4 .......... CoyoteNV - Nov 10 

Lush61 - Nov 13 .................... Rosa54 - Nov 13 .................  Beachlady28 – Nov 17

Nomatterwhat - Nov 17 ......... LMVerma  Nov 18 ................ katieC12 – Nov 18

Lorrilynne - Nov 18 .............. Gongshow18 - Nov 20 .........Yikes1 - Nov 20

Birdgirl11 - Nov 23 .............  Perfectlyimperfect39 - Nov 23 Singsing1020 -

December Start

Pita119 - Dec 1 .................. SandyLovesLucy - Dec 1......... AnasNana - Dec 1

 HockeyCat - Dec 3 ......... . CanuckMom Dec 4 ........................  MeanMomto3 - Dec 4

JustJean - Dec 5 ...............  runningcello - Dec 9 ....................... carynbrit - Dec 10

eileenpg - Dec 10  ..................... ForHisGlory - Dec 10 ..................... Davida58 - Dec 10

SCMom - Dec 11 .................ILCMom - Dec 15...........................  Linzer – Dec 16

WndrWoman - Dec 16 .............. sweetbanker - Dec 16 ....................  labelle - Dec 17 

Slavrich - Dec 27........................InGodshands - Dec 18 .................... Catie57 - Dec 18

lilactulip - Dec 18?..................... PoppyK - Dec 29 ............................. kpmacmill - Dec 29 

Jlynn13 - Dec 29 ...................... gretchy - Dec 29 .............................  Bellegirl - Dec 30

January Start

reader425 - Jan 2..................... Purrrrana99 - Jan 5........................... Cath57 - Jan 5 

fossf - Jan 7 ...............................ulubelle1 - Jan 8 .............................. lescover - Jan 8 

Nancy6540 - Jan 12 .................. Saltygirl - Jan 12 ............................ Fionascottie - Jan 13

Magdalene51 - Jan 15............... quiggy - Jan 19 ............................... Bippy625 - Jan 20

Dacre - Jan 20 ........................ feelingoverwhelmed - Jan 20................ Beachbum1023 - Jan 22

Cavalier - Jan 22 .......................Windgirl - Jan 28 

January Start Dates Not Known

KGotThis - Jan ? ..................ckr1956 - Jan ?

February Start

JeniferE - Feb 1 ........................ LARock - Feb 2

No Start Date Yet

 Shayne36 - ? ......................... knittingPT - ? .....................................Cavalier - Jan 22

Sjacobs146 - ? ......................... gemmafromlondon - ? ..................... chrissie29 -?

zjrosenthal  - Rads delayed by surgery, until ? Honorary Winter Warrior

Warriors who stopped for a visit, but didn't stick around. No start date determined.  We wish them well.

Minnielee; surrrana99; Coloradocancermom; Shuf; bjeaneg

= Reported Completed

 = Should be Complete by now.

I have 10 sessions left, 8 are bolus sessions. But today I keep having a sharp stabbing pain in my chest? Anyone else have this?? Driving me nuts. It doesn't last long but takes my breath away when it happens.

CAS4

Thanks! I'll check that one out as I hadnt seen it yet!

Yikes1: thank you for your input about the tenderness...it makes sense !

JeniferE: I am one of the left side rads and I am holding my breath for treatment. I visualize my heart moving down and out of the way of the beams which are simultaneously turning little rogue cancer cells to dust! I will reassure you that when your RO sets you up for treatment and when the techs position and mark you they are all careful that these calculations include measurements while you are holding your breath. I have also read that some radiation centers are turning to treatment of left side breasts with the patient on her stomach in a set up that allows the breast to drop down. I talked to my RO about this and he said he would consider putting me on my stomach if necessary . I trust him and he decided that holding my breath on my back was the better approach .

I'm soooo tired of being tired. In my mind there is so much I want to accomplish...and then I have to stop. I hate that my body can't do things the same way anymore! Sorry for venting...but I know it's a safe place to say what I feel and that hopefully somebody else has felt this way at some time.

Dacre, I hear you about the fatigue.  I've been frustrated about not getting enough done each day. One of the hardest things for me is to remember I need rest to heal and at least for a while can't push the way I used to. But now that I am past chemo AND rads I am feeling an increase in energy each day. It does get better so hang in there!

Fionascottie,

I'm a lefty RAD too and my RO is using the breath hold method as well. Like you, I researched and alternatives are face down or internal radiation. Our lungs will take some RAD hits but I'm trusting the method to protect my heart.

Ladies, the energy does come back.  I am 10 days post radiation and have more energy today than I have had in 3 months.  Today I have gone to the grocery store, dusted, swept floors, went on a cobweb hunt throughout the house and am doing laundry.  This is the first day I have felt like doing anything even remotely close to housework.  My husband says I am back to normal, at least my new normal.  Enjoying the warm weather and wonderful sunshine here in Missouri while it lasts. 

Question about .. well its almost over but i have what looks a bit like a heat rash under my breast... been good about keeping area dry and everything..its real close to where they are doing the boost (lower part of breast).. my trouble is. .no bra, increases skin contact obviously..but a soft sport bra or shelf bra hits too close to that area and then its a rubbing issue. What can i put on this to make it a little less ow! (will ask rads tech tomorrow too).

Meanwhile...greyish looking areas around nipple..cell death I'm assuming.. apart from that im doing all right?

Hi Beachbum ( and all others embarking on this scary ride of radiation)

I had a bilateral mastectomy Dec 10, and will be starting radiation within the next week. After that it's Arimadex for 5 years or more. I am worried about the effects of radiation and how that will impact my ability to work to full-time. I too am on my own and need to be able to earn a living. If  the effects are too bad I don't know what I"ll do.

How are you doing with your treatment so far? I hope all is going well. this site is such a relief for me. Finding other women going through all of this and feeling similar feelings, it makes such a difference.

Things have been busy here over the weekend. I have a red and sore area around my armpit after 21 zaps. The two days off haven't made much difference.

Coyote, Sorry about your ribs. My medical experiences have been that one thing leads to another. That makes me not want to ring a bell or get a certificate after #33. I prefer the "end of this chapter" thinking.

I asked the nurse about the Dale post surgical bra. She suggested sleeping in it and that has been super comfortable and secure.

Hope those of you who are having fatigue can get a couple of rests in during the day. And a short walk helps too.

Thanks everyone for your understanding and support with this fatigue stuff. I guess it's really difficult for me to understand why I get so exhausted after doing 3 hours of stuff. There is so much I want to accomplish and then get so exhausted that I have to stop and sleep. Then when I wake up....I've lost the motivation. Guess I just have to plan accordingly on what I can realistically accomplish on the days I have the energy. Surgery knocks you out....chemo knocks you down more...and now starting radiation...hmmm....one day at a time....one task a day??? Well maybe two or three...then a nap. New plan will be to accomplish things early in the day....go for radiation....come home....afternoon nap....dinner....BED!!!! Let's see what I can do today!!!

Bippy, good luck today. It sounds endless when you start, but the weeks will go by quickly.  I'm keeping fingers crossed for minimal rads side effects for you.  You can do it!  Good luck with your business plans.  I'm about to get back on the road this week doing my job as a travelling sales rep. I typically spend at least 4-5 hours driving a day, visiting two customers, and carrying pretty heavy sample cases.  I'm starting out slowly, but am nervous about being able to get back to my old schedule. If I can't keep up, then I'll also have to create a Plan B for work. 

Hugs, Sandy