Winter rads 2014-2015

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  • mqt64
    mqt64 Member Posts: 103
    edited April 2015

    Wondrwoman, just a quick note. Do they still have the carousel in Aix- en- Provence? My son lived there for his junior year in college. My daughter and I went to visit him at the end of that school year and travelled a bit. Him speaking fluent French helped a lot! But Nina and I did ok on our own too. We too all went to Nice and spent Mother's Day in Paris. Wonderful time! Enjoy the rest of your trip!

  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,805
    edited April 2015

    Hi Everyone, I haven't posted in a while due to all the family stuff I'm having to deal with.

    Looking at the list of Winter Rads Warriors always makes me pause. I feel strong and empowered and so happy for all of us. But I also feel deeply saddened that there are so many of us fighting this sneaky disease.

    Congrats to everyone who has finished rads! Those who are still doing rads are almost done! Yea!

    Quiggy, what was your original surgery? what kind of recon are you considering? My lx and recon were all done in one surgery. It was a long recovery... much longer than a lx alone. But I am so glad to have done it. My girls match pretty well, so I can buy bras and wear clothes. If I don't rock a swimsuit, it won't be because of my boobs... it will be because of the 20 lbs I've put on will dealing with cancer and chemopause, all of the meds and an injured knee. LOL

  • mqt64
    mqt64 Member Posts: 103
    edited April 2015

    An update... Saw the NP at the! Wound clinic today. The boob still looks infected so I get to do wound irrigations repacking and dressing changes for the next 2 weeks while they get Medicare to approve hyperbaric treatments for 2 to 6 weeks, 5 days a week for 2 1/2 hours each. When they probed in the wound it went the same depth as the PS did to remove the necrotic tissue from the methylene blue. With some necrotic tissue left in there and then rads the cavity under the skin never healed completely and when the skin sloughed off after rads it opened up. So much for not concentrating on the boob! I remember someone else talking about hyperbaric treatments for a seroma a while ago. Will need to go back in the posts. Thanks for listening. Only you ladies can possibly understand my frustration at this moment. I keep reminding myself that this too shall pass.

  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited April 2015

    mqt, sorry for the difficulty you are having. Praying you feel better soon. Love, Jean

  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,805
    edited April 2015

    mqt, I am deeply sorry you are going through this. I believe the person who had treatments in the hyperbaric chamber was meanmomto3. I hope that helps.

  • CoyoteNV
    CoyoteNV Member Posts: 575
    edited April 2015

    mqt64 ~ I am so sorry to hear that you are dealing with this.  You have definitely had enough.  It was MeanMomto3 who had the hyperbaric treatments and I am embarrassed to say that I have not contacted her when we have not heard from her for so long.  If you contact her, please let us know how she is doing and that she has not been forgotten here.

    I hope the treatments solve the problem and you heal up quickly.  Hugs and prayers for you.


     

  • kayfry
    kayfry Member Posts: 481
    edited April 2015

    Mqt64, that is really rotten luck that you're having to go through this. I certainly hope you can get the Medicare issues sorted out very soon and get on with the treatment you need and finally heal. It will pass; try to be kind to yourself and vent here whenever you like.

  • WndrWoman
    WndrWoman Member Posts: 333
    edited April 2015

    mqt64. I am sorry to hear about your current challenge. Discouraging but we are grateful there is something that can bring on healing.

    Yes, there are wonderful two level carousels in many towns - Nice and saw one today in Avignon.

    Very sunny so wearing a spf50 shirt to protect my breast post radiation. Must have landed on my hands as well as knees when I fell because I also have small bruises on both breasts. A bit scary.

  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited April 2015

    Rads DONE! Now all I want to do is sleep for a month! It has ny quite sunk in yet. Almost feels anticlimatic. Love, Jean

  • CoyoteNV
    CoyoteNV Member Posts: 575
    edited April 2015

    Jean ~ I am so happy to hear that you are now on the good side of rads. Congratulations. I understand what you mean about anticlimactic. Getting back into a real life routine again takes a bit of readjustment but it feels good.  I'll get your smiley posted immediately!

     

  • CoyoteNV
    CoyoteNV Member Posts: 575
    edited May 2015

    This is our list of Winter Warriors as of April 24, 2015 - We made it to the finish line.  Just look at all of us! Remember when we thought we would never get there?

    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 Happy

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

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

    eileenpg - Dec 16 Happy.............. Linzer – Dec 16 Happy....................... WndrWoman - Dec 16 Happy

     sweetbanker - Dec 16 Happy........  labelle - Dec 17 Happy.......................  Slavrich - Dec 27Happy

    InGodshands - Dec 18 Happy....... Catie57 - Dec 18 Happy........................ lilactulip - Dec 18 ThumbsUp

     PoppyK - Dec 29 Happy.............. kpmacmill - Dec 29 Happy....................  Jlynn13 - Dec 29 ThumbsUp

     gretchy - Dec 29  ThumbsUp...............Bellegirl - Dec 30 Happy

    January Start

    reader425 - Jan 2 Happy................ILCMom - Jan 2 ThumbsUp....................... Purrrrana99 - Jan 5 ThumbsUp

    Cath57 - Jan 5 ThumbsUp .................. Professor50 - Jan 5 Happy....................fossf - Jan 7ThumbsUp

    Lulubelle1 - Jan 8 Happy............. lescover - Jan 8 Happy.......................  Nancy6540 - Jan 12 .Happy

    Saltygirl - Jan 12  Happy...............aj103014 - Jan 12 Happy.................... Fionascottie - Jan 13 Happy 

    Magdalene51 - Jan 15  Happy...... quiggy - Jan 19  Happy....................... Annie88 - Jan 19 Happy

    chtease - Jan 19 Happy................ Bippy625 - Jan 20 Happy......................Dacre - Jan 20 Happy

    feelingoverwhelmed - Jan 20 ThumbsUp....KYBLUEEYES - Jan 20 ThumbsUp......Beachbum1023 - Jan 22 Happy

    Cavalier - Jan 22 Happy................ mqt64 - jan 26 Happy........................... Sjacobs146 - Jan 26  Happy

    Windgirl - Jan 28 Happy.................. Hotrodmommy - Jan 29 ThumbsUp

    February Start

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

    gemmafromlondon - Feb 2 Happy.keri71 - Feb 6 ThumbsUp....................  ladyb1234 - Feb 9Happy

    Mm68 - Feb 10 Happy................... CassieCat - Feb 12 Happy............ Texas94 - Feb 16Happy

    Leslie58 - Feb 16 Happy..............  farmerma - Feb 23 Happy............. Dotwithkitties - Feb 23Happy

    SunnySydeUp - Feb 23 Happy.... Allmodestyisgone - Feb 24 Happy.... brandyrose - Feb 26 ThumbsUp

    Scubawoman - Feb 26 Happy

    March Start -

    sybilskelton - Mar 2 ThumbsUp............gtlucky - Mar 2 Happy .....................  Viceroy - March 3 Happy

    Kayfry - Mar 4  Happy.....................  WheelyGirl - March 5 Happy............ Booklady1 - Mar 9 Happy

    Hygeia - Mar 13 Happy....................  zjrosenthal Mar 16 Happy................. Shelleym1 - Mar 16 ThumbsUp

    Rad Sisters transferred to the Spring Group

    Redhead01 - Mar 23 ThumbsUp

    cbooklvr - April 13 Happy

    Special Sister Warriors and 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, knittingPT, Shayne36, KGotThis, ckr1956, funthing42, MaggieCat, intothewoods

    No Rads needed !! Hooray!!  ThinkingPositive Happy.....................Mary59G Happy

    Happy= Reported Complete

    ThumbsUp = Should be Complete by now.

    That's a Wrap!

    Best of Luck to All my Winter Warrior Sisters!  Love, Hugs, and Prayers to you all.

    Jana aka "CoyoteNV"

     

  • Nomatterwhat
    Nomatterwhat Member Posts: 587
    edited April 2015

    CONGRATS to you Jean!!!! YAY!!!!

  • ladyb1234
    ladyb1234 Member Posts: 1,426
    edited April 2015

    Congrats jean. Enjoy the free time and yes sleep, rest, sleep, rest and oh yeah eat.

  • mqt64
    mqt64 Member Posts: 103
    edited April 2015

    Congratulations Jean! You're our last but definitely not least Winter Warrior to cross that finish line. Hugs and Happy dance!

    My news is good. No infection. Green must be due to the methylene blue. Hyperbaric treatments approved and start Monday. Fingers and toes crossed! Have a great weekend everyone!

  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,805
    edited April 2015

    Congratulations, Jean!

    mqt, Hope this next step goes smoothly!

  • windgirl
    windgirl Member Posts: 340
    edited April 2015

    Congrats Jean!!!

  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited April 2015

    Thanks, everyone. Now on to rest and recover. Still have neuropathy in my feet, loose bowels and very little hair but no cancer medical appointments this week. Yeah! \●/ Love, Jean

  • WheelyGirl
    WheelyGirl Member Posts: 181
    edited April 2015

    Congrats Jean!  You will soon be putting this behind you too!

    I have very little discomfort just a little pinkness and peeling mostly but still some fatigue.  I slept 11 hours last night...a never heard of for me, my average sleep is about 4 hours per night.  I was so tired when I went to bed at 7:00 and slept until 6:00.  I still feel tired but not as bad.  Baby steps.


     

  • kayfry
    kayfry Member Posts: 481
    edited April 2015

    Congrats to Jean and to everyone here. We all did it! Here's to healing and good health going forward!

  • quiggy
    quiggy Member Posts: 315
    edited April 2015

    zjrosenthal (Jean); Yahoo and welcome to the finish line. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

  • quiggy
    quiggy Member Posts: 315
    edited April 2015

    Jana aka "CoyoteNV, THANK you so much for keeping track of this wonderful group of women and posting the smiles for us. I'm sure there were times you didn't feel well or energetic but you just kept working on the list and sharing with your WW sisters.

    To all my winter warrior sisters... We made it!!!! What a journey we've had.

    Thank you all for being part of my journey and for your never ending support. In my darker moments, you helped me find hope. We may never meet but I'll remember all of you. As time goes by our WW group may fall away, anyone wanting to keep in touch, remember the Winter Rads Facebook page or PM me.

    I wish good health, healing and happiness to you all.

    Thank you to breast cancer.org for giving us this board.

    😁😊 🙌

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

    Congrats Jean!

    Mqt, I hope the treatments work. What an ordeal. :(

  • SunnySydeUp
    SunnySydeUp Member Posts: 21
    edited April 2015

    Congrats, Jean! So happy for you!

    Mqt, hope you feel better soon.

    To all the Winter Rads Warriors, congrats on finishing this part of the journey. You've been such a source of courage and inspiration. We are stronger now than we've ever been. Wish you all the best of health and happiness moving forward

  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited April 2015

    Slept last night and most 9fcr9day. Went to church tonight so I can sleep in tomorrow. I'm trying to listen to my body, rest and heal. Love, Jean

  • WndrWoman
    WndrWoman Member Posts: 333
    edited April 2015

    So glad you have finished and can rest Jean.

    We have all finished the daily appointments yet I think of all of us with mild to more significant effects that linger. Hope healing comes to all. Such a wonderful supportive group. Great appreciation to Coyote. You did not start us but became our center.

  • ladyb1234
    ladyb1234 Member Posts: 1,426
    edited April 2015

    Mqt, hope you feel better soon. So glad the treatments were approved!

    Coyote, I too appreciate all you did!

    Congrats all on finishing treatment. Continued healing to all that still have lingering SEs

  • quiggy
    quiggy Member Posts: 315
    edited April 2015

    mqt64, sorry you're going through this. Please keep us posted. Sending you gentle hugs.


  • CoyoteNV
    CoyoteNV Member Posts: 575
    edited April 2015

    I appreciate all the support that has been sent my direction.   "We" have been wonderful.   I could not have gone through this without my bc.org sisters, daughters, cousins, and dear dear friends. Love you guys.

  • amylsp
    amylsp Member Posts: 188
    edited April 2015

    Hi, I'm from the spring thread, but have a question for you Ladies. I just finished radiation treatment today (28 full breast/ 5 Boosts). I was told by both the RO and Nurse NOT to use sunscreen on the treated area (the breast all the way up to the collar bone), and to instead keep the area completely covered for 6 months! When I asked why, they said all the additives and ingredients in sunscreen can cause skin irritation to the treatment area.

    Has anyone else been told not to use sunscreen? I might try to find a more natural sunscreen without a lot of additives. I definitely do not like the idea of no sunscreen, or keeping the area completely covered all summer long. What have others experienced with the use of sunscreen? Thanks!

  • kayfry
    kayfry Member Posts: 481
    edited April 2015

    amylsp, I finished rads on March 30 (15 whole breast and 4 boosts), and NO ONE has ever told me not to use sunscreen in the radiated area (about the same general area as yours). That said, I've not used any sunscreen there so far—just the Miaderm cream I'm supposed to keep using until it's gone, before switching to another good moisturizer. Until recently it's been quite chilly here in PA, so no temptation to bare much skin. My personal preference is to cover exposed skin rather than using sunscreen (except on my face, where I use a good SPF 30 moisturizer daily), but that's just because I don't like the sticky feeling of most sunscreens. Also, I've had a number of minor skin cancers in the past so am pretty conscientious about covering up when possible. But in the month since I finished treatments, my skin has pretty much healed, though it's still slightly pink/brown but continuing to fade. I tend to wear lightweight, sun-protective tops with long sleeves and quarter-zip or otherwise high collars in breathable material when it's very warm. If I were to put on a bathing suit or something like that, I wouldn't hesitate to use sunscreen on the treatment area. All of my instructions from my team at Johns Hopkins advised that.

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