Spring 2015 Radiation Sisters

U4iachic

My ALT went up to 148 so I read up on it.   It can take months or longer  to come down and does not mean long term liver damage or mets.    But I do hate when they shrug things off when they are out of range.   I want everything to be back to normal so this is over.     I have spots on my liver and my onc does not do additional testing.     Arggghhh.     I figure if it really hangs on, I will then push for more testing.   I guess cysts on the liver are common so testing leads to more testing and false positives.    Also, my lab lists normal range as 10 - 49.      So may be you are in normal ranges already!!!!      I would watch the Tylenol though.  Feel better.   I know it is never really over....    sigh.     Big hugs!

I finished rads on May 13th and just noticed yesterday that the end of my nipple has a chunky scab on it. This might be the only time I'm glad I don't have any feeling there. Now that I'm finished rads I keep reading how bad it is. Ugh!!!

I went on a recovery vacation to Costa Rica 2 days after rads were done. My skin was a mess at that point so the sunshirt worked great. My RO said no pool but the ocean was ok. I didn't do it...I was too afraid of sand getting in there... But I did sit in the pool on a floater with a big hat and just kept getting wet by the pool shower. The point is you still have to live and enjoy things...just slightly modified.

I just went back to work (part time to start). I found the fatigue hit me once I was done and I'm still wiped out at the end of the day. I'm not sure how long it will last but I'm anxious to soon feel good again!!!

Congrats MJS!!!!! Today I actually felt 100%, and just really good. Keep the faith ladies,

--- final tx 6/6

So for me, 4 weeks to feel a lot better

Kath

I haven't been on here in awhile, so it's great to hear people getting done and living life. I was also relieved to hear others have swelling still. I'm also taking Pentoxifylline and E to reduce fibrosis. I had my 1 month checkup with the RO at the end of June, and she said it looks and feels good. The area is tan and feels tight at times. She mentioned massaging my breast to break up the scar tissue. I did a bit in the shower and with my lotion, but it swelled up after. Anybody else hearing or reading about massage?

@CassieCat - I also finished rads in April and feel exactly like you are feeling - a little bruised, tender, maybe a bit swollen!  I was just reading someone it is normal to feel slightly swollen for YEARS.  So I'm not too worried about feeling this way a few months after finishing.  Nice to hear I'm not the only one!

Thank you for helping me feel like I'm going through normal feelings here. I'm coming up on one year since my diagnosis next month, and I'm realizing that the fear of recurrence is really scaring me. I think the odds are in my favor, given all the treatments I had and continue to have, but it is scary nonetheless.

@cassiecat - you are not alone. the fear of reoccurrence is really freaking me out too. I am happy and sad to be done the treatments. Happy for obvious reasons...sad cause I do not have that constant care - ...someone checking me out...

I check my breasts every night - yeah - freaked out. That and along with chemo brain I am not the same girl I once was. I do not think any of us are.

I finished rads on June 30 and went on a 9 day celebration trip to europe ,courtesy of my mother and father. It's so nice to get on with life again and to put that chapter behind me. I have a much anticipated trip to mexico in august and then back to cancer reality with a planned total hysterectomy coming up as a preventative move against this cancer fight! !! Best of luck to all you gals out there!! Let's hope all our journey's go smoothly!!

@speace - What a way to celebrate!  Best of luck with your surgery.  I am also having preventative surgery this fall - an oophorectomy. 

Finished June 5th and my skin healed in time for our 10 day vaca to NC to spend time in the mountains and then the beach with my entire family. Used my UV t shirt and hat and was ably to enjoy a few hours on the beach with my toes in the sand and water. Would have gone in the water but couldn't help but think that Jaws was lurking near by. LOL Had my first follow up with BS yesterday since my BMX in 3/18 and all went well. Hard to believe 10 months have passed already but am looking forward to getting back to a more normal life not filled with dr appts treatments and endless trips to the hospital. Have planned a trip for each of the upcoming months which helps me keep focused on a happy future. Thinking if everyone still in treatment and those just finishing.....sending u all hugs, candy

I was told by my surgeon that it can take up to a year for my breast to recover completely from rads. I finished in April and am still swollen and a kinda tender. My skin is fine though. I am careful to avoid sun as much as possible and use sunscreen always. Worth it all to save my life. Love, Jean

Hi Peggy - I finished RADs May 22. I have swelling, soreness, heat. It is very painful. All of this is being dealt with via Lymphadema PT visits (3x week for the past 3 weeks) and at home massage by myself. It was explained to me that the entire RADs area is scar tissue now and the removal of lymph nodes disturbs the flow of fluids. The massage redirects the fluid out to other still working nodes. The scar tissue needs to be worked and broken up to made soft again. I also wear a pad to bed to help soften the tissue. I too went back to the gym and started back on my regime of lifting 20 - 40 lbs weights and wonder if it is causing my issues to be worse. From what I am being told it is good to use the arm that it helps with fluid flow but I think it definitely has made the swelling more pronounced. I have cut back on my weight lifting to 15 -20 lbs. and hope that along with all the massage this swelling etc. will subside. My rt. breast is a size bigger than the left - it changes thru out the day. The PT and Lymph specialist said to wear tight sports bras with wider straps and back. Wishing you less swelling!

PeggyG6020 - I finished in mid-May and my right breast (or where it was) that was radiated still gets very hot.

I continue to use aloe and coconut oil and I finished up my tube of Madeira lotion, to help the skin strengthen. It's been over 2 months since I finished radiation and everything looks good - minimal-to-no swelling, scar looks good. Just a rectangular "tan" which is something I can live with.

Nice to see everyone here from the Spring is doing well and healing up.

Hello there everyone

People keep telling me it is "normal" to be concerned about cancer reoccurrence...nearly every survivor thinks this. I started seeing a psychologist to help ease my anxiety. Once every two weeks. I know what some of you might be thinking "how can that help?" But it has...I was lucky and connected with the person and we just chat. She has given me some techniques to clear my mind. My struggle is at bed time - after I have thoroughly checked my breasts my mind wonders.

The cost was free thanks to the cancer board where I live. I would be happy to share what I have learned so far if anyone is intersted.

C.

I finished rads on May 13th. I find the skin is still continuing to tighten.. It now sits up a good lot higher ..I'm hoping this will stop soon!!!