Winter rads 2014-2015

Congrats to those finishing! Hurray!

I'll be having a bolus put on every other treatment, so I had that yesterday. What an odd feeling! Yesterday's treatment did go quickly (it was #2), so I can see now what they mean when they say once you get past your first one the rest are fast. I was in and out of the building within 20 minutes, and that included a brief stop to change the time for Tuesday's appointment. I'm thinking I may grab a t-shirt to have with me, to start changing into when I'm done, as someone else mentioned. Once I'm done, I can go straight home, as I've scheduled rads for after work.

Hi Cassie Cat, the tee shirt is a good idea. I put the Aloe gel on when I change from the gown to go home. I finished 3 weeks, and going well. Good Luck.

Happy Valentine Day to all!!!

Dacre-Thanks for the words of encouragement!  I am still working on the not caring what people think thing and have come along way, just not quite there yet. 

Wheelygirl, I thought I was to the point of not caring what people thought either.  But, last weekend at the grocery store I had on a baseball cap and still have short hair, but it is long enough to stick out from under the hat, this jackass, looked me right in the eyes and said "Oh, Lord"!!!  I was mortified and the tears just rolled!!!!  It was a good thing my husband couldn't find him in the store, or I probably would have had to bail him out of jail that day.  Anyway, it does happen, but for the most part I hold my head high, covered by my stocking hat.  I was glad I had on my foobs. He probably would have fainted had he seen a flat chested woman. 

Nomatterwhat, Wheelie, one way to deal with those people is to tell them why you are bald/almost bald. Something like: "funny thing about chemo, it makes your hair fall out." That will make them feel small.

I have never had anyone make comment like that. Most folks seem to understand what has happened. I have had complete strangers come up to me and ask if I needed some prayers.

Hi everyone, just watched a documentary on HBO, "Monday's at Racines," bc story.

Recommended, must see.

gemmafromlondon - I agree with you as well, this horrible thing called cancer has taken so much else from us, we should not let it take our self esteem or desire to look good.  Even though it is very difficult to feel pretty these days...when we come out of this on the other side we will know that we never gave up on the things that made us feel like ourselves!

Love the hair, Coyote!!!  You finished chemo two days before I did.  Mine is about as long, with the exception of being much whiter.  I look like a minion on steroids!!!! 

GemmafromLondon - As far as caring what you looked like before and after chemo, you are right.  I know I have changed by wearing more jewelry, doing my face everyday, taking care of my fingernails and just generally feeling "pretty".  However, losing the hair has been my downfall.  I work closely with a lady who has had colon cancer, went through chemo, twice, and radiation and never lost her hair.  I am the one who gets asked all the time how I feel, how am I doing, what did I go through and what is my prognosis.  I have even had several ladies ask me if "they" are real or not!!!!  These were the same people I talked with before my hair loss and they never asked how I was doing as I was going through chemo and radiation, because they did not see a difference in me. So, I can tell you, as many ladies can, that the hair loss is a traumatic thing and from that point on you can't hide the fact you have BC.  Some days, no matter how long I look in that mirror, I still don't like what I see and no amount of makeup is going to change that.  Going through this experience is one of the most difficult things a lot of us will ever do, but we coming out on the other side of this more loving, tolerant, patient, caring and an all around better person. 

Nomatterwhat. You hit on just the reason I limited who I told I had breast cancer. If I had needed chemo, I would have told the world as it would have been clear from hair loss. I did not want people I worked with or who knew me only casually to always look at me as a person with cancer. Since I only needed radiation, I told family and a wide circle of friends and a few people I knew had experienced bc. I must say all the people I told have been very supportive although a few don't want details. That is the great gift of everyone here. We share about the whole messy business.

Nomatterwhat - you are absolutely right but of course it is not only bc women who lose their hair. I have a friend with lymphoma who has had an extremely traumatic time in hospital for a week every third week for a year - thus no hair and a very uncertain prognosis. I find it difficult myself to ask her how things are going as she feels certain of recovery whereas I feel I am merely on borrowed time and that the beast will get me one day.

Hi, I'm new here but have been lurking for awhile.  Love this site!  I have learned so much from all the amazing women here.  Thank You!  I start rads tomorrow.  Even after reading most of the posts on this thread...I'm still nervous.  I was dx Dec. 15th, had lumpectomy on Jan 2nd.   I'm thankful this was caught early!   I had the best diagnosis under the circumstances.  A down side, I have to travel 160 miles (round trip) for treatment.  I'm lucky there is a free bus service that I will be able to take starting Tuesday.  I will be driving tomorrow for the first appointment since it will take longer with the adjustments they said they'd make.  The bus leaves at 11:30 and I should be back home by 3:00.  I'm still having a hard time wrapping my brain around this whole thing.  Which I'm sure you all can relate.  I've come through with flying colors so far, and now the next step in the journey begins.  I'm glad too....seems like it's taken forever to get to this point.  I will have 30 treatments, with the last 5 being boost's.

Again...Thank You to all that have shared your experiences.  Know that it has helped so many.  I will check in with my experiences as well.  Hope their as positive as many here have shared.

Leslie

Glad you have got a free bus - that will take a lot of the stress I hope and probably better than the daily drive most of us do. You will surely be well read/educated/entertained by the end of the rads.! All the best.

Hi, Leslie, You will do just fine. I finished 10 days ago and my 3 peeling areas are 95% healed. So the skin recovers quickly with whatever creams your place recommends. I recommend a few shoulder rolls and simple stretches before your session starts. Set-up and the simulation and first zap session will be longer. Soon it will be routine. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated. Let us know how it goes and if you have any hurdles.

Good morning Ladies, I am going to rads #16 today. So far so good. It is a little tan, and a little pink in the underarm. The shoulder feels a little tight, but I have been doing my exercises so that is getting better. I use Aloe Gel 100% clear about 5 to 6 times a day. I wear soft tees and a soft zip jacket over it since I don't wear my bra right now. I'm just glad it's cold right now to layer my shirts. My Mom always told me to wear clean underwear, I'm not wearing a bra or my boob! Geez...........