Winter rads 2014-2015

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  • WndrWoman
    WndrWoman Member Posts: 333
    edited January 2015

    75 degrees Coyote !! I'm jealous. But I only have to drive 15 minutes to get to rads.

    Enjoy your studio and create more beautiful objects.

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  • funthing42
    funthing42 Member Posts: 418
    edited January 2015

    Hi thanks I will look into the Tomo therapy . Electron and Proton therapy had been suggested. I just feel so panicked to make a sound judgement .

    I am scheduled for this Wed. Planning .

    Good luck everyone. I will let you know how Rads twice is like. Yuck :)

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  • mqt64
    mqt64 Member Posts: 103
    edited January 2015

    dacre, thank you for saying what I've been thinking. I start rads on Monday and am somewhat terrified. I have told myself since November when I was diagnosed that I am one of the lucky ones. And I am! My tumor was small, 1.5 cm, I had clear margins and negative nodes. My RO says I had a well behaved tumor. My sister in law was just diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer with mets and given a prognosis of weeks. How different! I really feel bad for my husband and his family. I look at all the brave women on this site who have needed chemo and had recurrences but fight on. I was diagnosed in November, had 2 surgeries before Christmas, and got through the holidays. Then it hit me at my sim that I have Cancer! I love the song in your second post. We will not only survive we will prevail! And thank you Winter Warriors. You are an inspiration.

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  • CoyoteNV
    CoyoteNV Member Posts: 575
    edited January 2015

    This is our list of Winter Warriors as of January 24, 2015 - I'll do my best to keep it current. Let me know if it needs a change. 

    October / November Start

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Birdgirl11 - Nov 23 Happy.............  Perfectlyimperfect39 - Nov 23 HappySingsing1020 -Happy

    December Start

    Pita119 - Dec 1 Happy.................. SandyLovesLucy - Dec 1Happy......... AnasNana - Dec 1 ThumbsUp

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

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

     ForHisGlory - Dec 10 ..................... Davida58 - Dec 10 Happy..............SCMom - Dec 11 Happy

    ILCMom - Dec 15...........................  eileenpg - Dec 16 ...................... Linzer – Dec 16 Happy

    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 ............................ aj103014 - Jan 12

    Fionascottie - Jan 13 ................ Magdalene51 - Jan 15..................... quiggy - Jan 19

    Bippy625 - Jan 20 ..................... Dacre - Jan 20 .............................. feelingoverwhelmed - Jan 20

    KYBLUEEYES - Jan 20 ............. Beachbum1023 - Jan 22 .............. Cavalier - Jan 22

    nqt64 - jan 26 ............................. Sjacobs146 - Jan 26 ...................... Windgirl - Jan 28 

    January Start Dates Not Known

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

    February Start

    JeniferE - Feb 1 ........................ LARock - Feb 2 ............................. Chrissie29 - Feb 2

    FebruaryStart Dates Not Known

    CassieCat - Feb ? .................... Texas94 - Feb ?

    No Start Date Yet

     funthing42 - ?

     

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

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

    Minnielee; surrrana99; Coloradocancermom; Shuf; bjeaneg, gemmafromlondon, knittingPT,  Shayne36


    Happy= Reported Completed

    ThumbsUp = Should be Complete by now.


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  • funthing42
    funthing42 Member Posts: 418
    edited January 2015

    Well I guess I will let you know if I need to be on your list :)

    I guess I will be. I start Rad planning

    On Wed. Of this week.

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  • Beachbum1023
    Beachbum1023 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited January 2015

    Good evening dacre, I am glad you are here! The club nobody wants to join, but I thank my lucky stars every day that I am here. I need to laugh and cry and try to find the answer to the question why me? Why you? Why does this disease take so much from us all? We can share our rad stories, and the ups and downs. For all of you already moving through the rads, I start Monday and I am not looking forward to it. But I appreciate your stories, the good and bad. I hope everyone is doing well. Thank You for sharing.

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  • aj103014
    aj103014 Member Posts: 12
    edited January 2015

    This is a really helpful thread.I tend to read and not reply only because putting it out there makes it all too real. I don't think that it all hit me until after my set-up appointment for the radiation that this was real. That first schedule of daily appointments sent me into a tailspin. I am now midway through my rad treatment and have been fairing fairly well. Total exhaustion the first week, but my RO and I figured it was due to my cycle and adjusting to the commute between work, treatment and home. The second week was much better. I have had tenderness and shooting pains, but only here and there. I am adjusting to wearing sport bras for more than trips to the gym. I feel blessed for so many reasons, trying to keep looking at the good things and make time for myself. Panicking about the weather forecast this week. Yesterday while it snowed I was grateful that I didn't have to drive to treatment. The snow in Tuesday's forecast looks dreadful.

    wish you all strength and peace

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  • CassieCat
    CassieCat Member Posts: 1,257
    edited January 2015

    dacre, I was diagnosed around the same time as you and have been going through similar difficult feelings lately. My hunch is that it's normal. Painful, and normal. I come here to vent and seek solace from others who really and truly understand.

    My CT scan is Feb. 4th. I do't know if Feb. 9th is a reasonable start date or not, but I have it in my head to be ready that week. We'll see. Sounds like around 5.5-6 weeks of full treatments and then a week or so of boosts to the scar area. Does that sound similar to what others have done?

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  • BookLady1
    BookLady1 Member Posts: 253
    edited January 2015

    Wonderful women - I'm lurking here while I finish taxol and won't start rads until March. You are the most honest, intelligent, gracious, funny and kind women I have ever come across on any discussion board. Where else do I get solid medical info and advice, Helen Reddy lyrics, poetry, art, and weather reports from all over the country?

    This blog came from the BreastCancer.Org newsletter by Amy Small-McKinney on December 10th, 2014, under the category the Breast Cancer Journey. Titled I Am Strong, I Am Not. I found it echoes what all of us are feeling, especially at this point in our treatment. I wanted to share. If I can't get it to download, I will try again when my 18 year old DS gets home! XO

    http://community.breastcancer.org/blog/i-am-strong-i-am-not/


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  • CoyoteNV
    CoyoteNV Member Posts: 575
    edited January 2015

    aj103014 -   Thank you for responding here.  I will most certainly add you to the Winter Warrior list if you will allow me to. I don't want you to be uncomfortable if you don't want to be there.

    Sometimes this situation reminds me of that song Kermit the Frog sang, "It's Not Easy Being Green."  There ain't nothin' easy about this ... and it is very, very real. Not one of us is always brave  and we all have moments of deep fear, and yet we certainly have moments of bravery and hope. 

    All of you out there in snow country - Be careful on the roads and make a snow angel for me. 

     

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  • WndrWoman
    WndrWoman Member Posts: 333
    edited January 2015

    Welcome BookLady1

    I did not succeed with the link but the title reminded me of 35 years ago when I was going through divorce. Everyone said you are strong, you will be fine. I knew they were right but I did not feel like being strong. Now it is similar. I know I can deal with whatever is necessary and whatever comes but that doesn't mean I WANT to. Some days I would just like to have a toddler's temper tantrum.

    Good thoughts for those just starting. And for those of us who may be slowed down by the snow, I guess there is nothing we can do. AARGH!

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  • WndrWoman
    WndrWoman Member Posts: 333
    edited January 2015

    CassieCat Yes, 28 regular and 5 boosts is typical although some here have had fewer but possibly more intense treatments. Not everyone has boosts. You will be like the ground hog with 6 weeks til spring.

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  • dacre
    dacre Member Posts: 84
    edited January 2015

    To WndrWoman: Thank you for even noticing that I was talking to myself!! LOL Sometimes that's the only way I can feel okay..venting and then trying to figure a way to feel better. I guess the lyrics should read: "We are Women...hear us roar!"..


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  • dacre
    dacre Member Posts: 84
    edited January 2015

    So I changed the words to the song so that we can have some solidarity when we feel down. This will become my "mantra" or my song when I feel like dancing...hopefully if anyone is having a "down day" keep these words in your heart and SING them as loud as possible...because I know I will hear you wherever you are!!!

    We are woman, hear us roar

    In numbers too big to ignore
    And we know too much to go back an' pretend
    'Cause we've heard it all before
    And we've been down there on the floor
    No one's ever gonna keep us down again

    Oh yes, we are wise
    But it's wisdom born of pain
    Yes, we've paid the price
    But look how much we've gained
    If we have to, we can do anything
    We are strong

    We are invincible
    You can bend but never break us

    'Cause it only serves to make us
    More determined to achieve our final goal
    And we come back even stronger
    Not a novice any longer
    Cause we've deepened the conviction in our soul

    We are strong
    We are invincible
    We are women


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  • dacre
    dacre Member Posts: 84
    edited January 2015

    I want a cotton shirt with these lyrics that is also a "break-a-way" shirt so I can just pull it open instead of trying to take it over my head or pull it down. Anybody interested???

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  • Cavalier
    Cavalier Member Posts: 9
    edited January 2015

    Coyote: thanks for your work in keeping us updated. It helps to see that people DO get through this phase, and to see who is in sync with me. Can I have some of your sunshine?

    Dacre: I feel just like you sometimes and just wallow in it till it passes. It is ok not to be positive. I give myself permission to HATE this whole thing and not waste valuable energy trying not to feel that way. Then it passes and I feel better. Glad to have you with me on this roller coaster ride.

    KYBLUEEYES welcome. I started rads Thursday so we get to compare notes. Mine is the hypofractionated course. Same dose over 16 treatments. Happy I had two then the weekend to recover. Not sure what to expect with 5 in a row next week as I had just a little soreness Friday night.

    Ajlo3014: welcome. Good to know you are doing so well halfway through.

    BeachLady28:itching is really just mild pain. If it bothers you a lot try whatever your RO told you to use for pain. Hope that helps.

    Loved the Amy Small-McKinny article BookLady1 recommended. Link didn't work but go to the home page here (breastcancer.org) click Community and click on Blog. You will find it there.

    Thanks again for being here. You are all amazing. What did people do before discussion boards??

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  • BookLady1
    BookLady1 Member Posts: 253
    edited January 2015

    http://community.breastcancer.org/blog/i-am-strong-i-am-not/

    My DS fixed the link - see what you think! Linda


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  • Carynbrit
    Carynbrit Member Posts: 51
    edited January 2015

    Popping in...

    Paleo...easy to do once you get the hang of it.. i do a modified version of it to be honest.. added back whole wheat breads etc . have been on it for 2 years ...a little over. Dropped 40lbs in the first year and kept it off... (dropped another 10 after diagnosis but thats the not so healthy cancer and stressing out diet). No to corn syrup for me..any 'fake' sugars in food is a must. Not fueling any errant cells. Was hard at first but now good at scanning labels.


    Woke up to a bright pink nipple... it appears that the old (gry dark brown burnt part) just kind of sloughed off? new skin... its only a few days since I finished but im happy to see it coming off like that (rather than in layers!).. .. being careful of skin.. probably the best part looked after in fact.

    Arm.. you know. .i dont know about that..its sore most of the time. .it aches a lot.. I've gotten back into exercising but im worried about over doing it.. most likely due to fears about lymphedema (no signs of).... thinking i should go see if i can get with the rehab part (all insurance based decision there) and see if i can get fitted for a sleeve. The exercising is getting back into doing the triathlons etc..



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  • lescover
    lescover Member Posts: 7
    edited January 2015

    I am 12 treatments into my 30.  Nearly half!!  I am a glass half full kinda gal.  So far, so good. For what it's worth, here is what I have found to be helpful Smile

    1.  I brought a sleep mask from Amazon (http://amzn.com/B0015NZ6FK ) that I leave with my body mold everyday. Covering my eyes takes away the urge to see what the machine is doing and helps me relax. 

    2.  I have my own music playlist (http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/30-inspirational-songs-that-keep-you-motivated-for-life.html?ref=e) that the technicians play at high volume before, during, and after my treatment.  The play list is on a random shuffle, so I look forward to treatment everyday just to see what my song will be!!  Somedays it is extremely difficult not to tap my toes, so I make up for it by dancing in the dressing room. 

    3.  My RO nurse gave me a tube of Miaderm (http://amzn.com/B004TB9SFE ) that I started using one week prior to my first treatment.  Now I take it with me to treatment and use it while I'm dancing in the dressing room.  Then I use it everytime I go to the restroom and again before bed.  My treatments are at 11 a.m. so I don't use it in the morning.  My skin was a little red last week, but it didn't get any worse.  Wireless, cotton bra seems to be the most comfortable.

    4.  I am listening to "Let's Pretend This Never Happened" by Jenny Lawson as recommended by someone earlier in this thread.  I turn it on at work and listen with another secretary.  We giggle and laugh out loud!  Love it! 

    Hoping that any of this makes someone else's treatments easier.  I have been helped immeasurably by reading what you all are experiencing!


     

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  • Carynbrit
    Carynbrit Member Posts: 51
    edited January 2015

    cool on the mask.. i must say that i never once looked at the machine when it was doing it's thing.. i closed my eyes and said my mantra over and over.


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  • chrissie29
    chrissie29 Member Posts: 121
    edited January 2015


    CassieCat-my treatment is 25 sessions plus 5 sessions of boost to incision site.  I am having to chest wall and all 4 sets of lymph nodes.  I believe I read that you had a complete pathological response.   Just curious as I kept thinking that if only my tumor had shrunk away completely, I wouldn't need radiation.  I was really disappointed after my final path results showed that it was still there, but perhaps that doesn't impact the radiation recommendation.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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  • CassieCat
    CassieCat Member Posts: 1,257
    edited January 2015

    chrissie I was hoping that too, but statistically it appears I'm better off if I have rads too. That's the opinion of my team, and I'm putting my trust in them.

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  • aj103014
    aj103014 Member Posts: 12
    edited January 2015

    Coyote I started to write, happy to be added... but that's not quite right. I don't feel uncomfortable with being added at this point. I agree that the Kermit song plays in my mind often. Nothing about this is easy and while I know I've got this, I'm sure to have some fallout once I am done with treatments. The process certainly makes you take a second look at how you are living your life. I'm glad that I had already made some healthy changes prior to diagnosis and feel confident that I can continue to do so.

    I thought about a sleep mask, but never followed through. I agree that the loud music helps to zone out and stay in the correct position.

    Good luck to anyone else who has to deal with the blizzard warning this week. Have an early dismissal for work already scheduled and wonder if it will be possible to sneak into an earlier treatment slot.

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  • CoyoteNV
    CoyoteNV Member Posts: 575
    edited January 2015

    aj - You are more than welcome here. I'm really sure that you will feel well supported by the Winter Warriors. Why does it seem that so many really wonderful women end up on this website?  

    I sort of added you to the Warrior List, but made a guess at January 8.  O think that's a week late, but please let me know how to correct that.

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  • Bippy625
    Bippy625 Member Posts: 890
    edited January 2015

    hi all my rad sistahs!

    I am doing my second week now. I am doing 25 tx total. No idea if any are boosts, will ask today. I have aloe vera gel that I use daily on sites. No redness yet but sure it is coming. Tired though, already.

    I am feeling this is all very surreal. It seems like I am watching a stranger do it. Driving there, changing into smock, letting yet more strangers manipulate my body and now my scarred chest. I do not even care about exposing it. Maybe it is better this way, or am I just headed for another meltdown?


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  • dacre
    dacre Member Posts: 84
    edited January 2015

    To aj103104: Please feel welcome to this wonderful group of women that will be supportive, funny, loving, kind and caring. I am very new to this group but have felt welcomed right from the start. Just know that no one on this site would ever know each other under different circumstances. I feel blessed to have been able to find such a supportive group of women that UNDERSTAND how you may be feeling.

    We all go through ups and downs...but what I'm realizing is how really really important it is to share what and how we feel, share information to answer/ask questions, how we get through our daily lives, how we can manage to stay in control of our life when everything seems out of our hands.

    I am proud to be a part of this "club" and I hope you will feel the same.


    ps.....I live in upstate NY....probably getting 16 inches of snow between this afternoon and Wednesday night. Can the radiation from me help melt some of the snow???

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  • aj103014
    aj103014 Member Posts: 12
    edited January 2015

    CoyoteNV thanks.. I started on Jan 12. Hopeful the blizzard doesn't derail my treatments this week.

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  • dacre
    dacre Member Posts: 84
    edited January 2015

    To CoyoteNV: In response to "Why does it seem that so many really wonderful women end up on this website?".....I believe it is because of you personally. You are such a warm and welcoming presence. You make everyone feel loved and appreciated. You respond to everyone's comments with such grace and fortitude. Who wouldn't want to be a part of this group?? LOL...I guess none of us....but this is the card we've been dealt.

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  • dacre
    dacre Member Posts: 84
    edited January 2015

    In case any one notices....I have changed my pic to Mr. Bill...there will be a generation who knows and appreciates Mr. Bill. OOOOHHHHH Nooo Mr. Bill....

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  • dacre
    dacre Member Posts: 84
    edited January 2015

    To Bippy625: I understand exactly. I do the same thing! It's like the 3 monkeys....see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil....if I don't hear, see or talk about it ....it doesn't exist. I do have melt downs quite often. But it seems like they are less frequent since I am able to vent ....which I do ...here.

    Be strong...take deep breath's.....remember why you're doing this....why we are all doing this together!

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