Winter rads 2014-2015

Oh, Linda, some year I hope to get to Texas to see the bluebonnets and other wildflowers. Lucky you!

Jean, I'm so glad you got that straightened out, and that they were responsive to your concerns. It seems as if most of us here have at least 2 techs at any time, and sometimes even 3. I can understand your concern! What they're doing with our bodies is so important! I often think about that, as my techs work to position me and call back and forth with the various numbers that mean something to them, though not to me.

Beachbum, that's interesting that you had to ID yourself every day. I had to do this verbally the first day, but they have a big monitor above the table, as well as outside by their control station that brings up my picture as well as a side view that shows some of my tattoos. That way they have a photo to match to the patient, although after the first few days we all know each other anyway.

Yep, me too. I have to tell my name date of birth and identify that beautiful bald lady on the screen as me! Very glad they listened to my concerns. Love, Jean

Glad everything's settled down, CassieCat. I have just the 4 boosts to go, and tonight I actually think my skin is feeling less sore and itchy than it has been the last couple of days. Go figure. I'm also very ready to be done.

Y'all talking about the birthdate thing reminded me of someone I saw at chemo one week. An elderly lady who came in under her own power sat a couple of chairs down from me. Then the nurse brought over a bag of medicine and asked her birthdate, something you hear repeatedly in there so you barely listen. When this lady got to the year part I nearly fell out of my chair. She was born in 1919. Do that math. She's doing chemo so I guess she ain't planning on going anywhere any time soon. Good for her.

they took photos of me which were displayed on a monitor ithe treatment room. I also had a plastic card with my name, birthdate, and I'd number on it. I had to give them the card every day. One day I had misplaced the card, and they asked me for my name and birthdate

I didn't have to confirm my identity at all after my initial CT for treatment planning. There were 3 main techs who did my treatments, but one day the tech who did my original CT did my treatment by herself. I usually had 2 techs, but some days it was only one.

Hello All,  As far as the number of techs is concerned - once there was one, generally two, occasionally three.  No questions about identity, but a photo of me on the screen on the machine. 

Three months out, there are still under arm zingers, neck and throat itchiness, and sore ribs. My skin did great.

I overdid today. I'm working on a beautification/clean-up project at the studio. It sits on the main road into town and is seen by everyone who drives by. It used to be a ramshackle battleship gray building before it became my artistic hangout.  I painted it adobe color and trimmed it in a bright sage green and blue.  It had gotten somewhat overgrown in the last year while I didn't have the energy to maintain it correctly.   I've been pulling weeds and planting flowers for the last couple of days.  Today I spent too much time bent over pulling and planting. I'm not sure there is a square inch that doesn't hurt....and my right arm and shoulder are screaming at me like crazy.  Something to keep in mind if you decide Spring gardening is in order at your place. 

Crazy Coyote Studio's front door - come on in.

Coyote, I just want to come and spend a week in your studio with my oil paints, ok?

Coyote. Love your door!

CassieCat. Glad the adjustment in schedule has helped.

Jean. Great that they responded to your concern. I agree on liking the double check.

Beachbum102. You are too much! I bet they miss you.

Checking in. I had to say name a birth date while verifying that I was the person pictured on the computer screen. I felt it also served to reassure me that my specifications were being used.

Photos. Twice I know they used my photos for verification of positioning when one of my tattoos sort of disappeared in my darkening skin.

Zingers. I had a few days during rads with zingers but none afterwards until a few days ago. Six weeks after finishing and just that one day. Most mysterious.

Chtease, yes!!! My boob shrink two cup sizes and every day I have pains, twinges, zingers; what ever you call them, it's sometimes pretty uncomfortable. Guessing nerves coming back to life.

I've had the same three techs--Melissa, Greg and Melissa--a

and an understudy from time to time.  I, too, verify my name and birthdate each treatment.  I also sign in by way of an encoded orange card at two locations before I am called by the techs.  I refer to them (techs) as "MGM Productions."

I sometimes feel illegitimate because I have had no pain or nasty SEs through-out this process and have met the most incredible individuals sitting beside or across from me in the waiting room--all of us costumed in identical patterned frocks.  A few of us will be friends for whatever time is remaining to us.

What will tomorrow bring?

PS:  Ms. Coyote, what a splendid studio!  May we see the inside?

Cheers,

Hygeia

Yeah!!! Finished today.  My staff gave me tulips to celebrate, and I'm going to have a glass of wine with dinner.  Missed a couple days on the forum and it has been busy here.  Congrats to all who are finishing this journey.  Hang in there to those still in the middle of it -- you are making progress!

Always had 2 techs, and sometimes a third who was a student.  Every morning had to confirm out loud my name, that the picture was me, and the treatment was of my right breast.  Couple times helped them make up the "bed" so became known as "the Mom." 

My labs are really glad that we will be able to go back to our before work walks.  They are prison pups (rescues that our prison trains and then sells).  It is a real win-win program and the dogs are great.  Everything from chiweenies to Great Danes.

Coyote -- the studio door is great.  Kayfry -- will look for your books.  Quiggy -- thanks for all the support.

Off on a business trip to PHX on Friday.  And now I'm going to have that glass of wine.

'Night all.

I finished today!!! Rang the bell and passed out Almond Joy bars to everyone I came in contact with from the parking attendant who waved me in every day to the 'cancer parking only lot' to the girls who registered me, to the multiple techs who wanted to know my name birthday and which breast they were treating to the nurses and docs! I thanked them for bringing " joy" to this very nutty time!!!! It felt good to give to them what they have given to me for each of these 18 treatments.

There was one tech who really brought a smile to my face and I couldn't figure it out for a few days, then I realized as she was lining me up and they were confirming markings etc, she always referred to each one as beautiful! It sounded odd at first but it put such a sweet positive spin on it all for me! In this difficult journey I do feel blessed for the people God has shared with me.

I have had major redness, itchiness that really kicked in around #14. lots of zingers or just plain breast pain and a very angry nipple most days ( only way to describe it). One day I sat with a bowl over my breast so nothing would touch it!! Pretty funny, but worked wonders.

So now I move on to Tamoxifen and keep my fingers crossed that I don't have any issues! I have not posted much but I gained much by reading, so thank you all for that! I wish all of you success in your treatments and a life filled with little joys along the way!!!