April 2015 Chemo Crew... Starting in April? Please join us!

i am in just so much shock...i am having sharp pains in my right should side where my port is....i know my port is also on a nerve and muscle, and that this is my mind/bodys way of telling me to slow down and breathe...but today is also my mom's brother's bday who passed away 3 years ago from a mix of various cancers....this is just a total blindside and now i can't believe what my 5 year daughter may have to endure in her life because of this stupid friggin life sucking crap

Melissa, that is so shocking - you must be reeling! I hope your mother's cancer is early/easy to treat. Keep us posted on her pathology. Sending positive thoughts your way.

Lynne

Sue, MO said that while I might feel better/more normal right now, if I added working full time to my schedule, I'd probably end up exhausted again. She said that I might feel fine the first couple of weeks of rads, but then radiation zaps your energy too. She said RO might disagree, and that we could evaluate as we go, but right now they are saying that I'd need to be out until I'm done radiation and even a few weeks beyond to get energy levels back.

I see her point, and I hadn't really thought of it that way. I'm such a "work" person, that I'm feeling guilty - if I can paint my deck or take the kids to the beach, I should be working. My work is such that it's pretty much 100% or nothing. I could bring up working PT with my manager, but honestly, I'll do better with 80% disability pay than 50% regular pay. It will mean a bigger hit to my annual bonus because it will be pro-rated. But then, it's not about $$, is it? I should know that by now.

Lynne

Ankledolphin im sorry that you are dealing with this but you will be such a good support for your Mom. Positive hugs for both of you.

Lynne, you both look great. I understand how you feel though, I've gained over 20# since chemo and I think most of it in my face and neck. I hate how I look but know it will come off- eventually.

Ankle, I'm so very sorry about your mom!! The shock of this dx is mind numbing..... big hugs and prayers to you and your family. Please keep us updated on her. Take care of yourself this weekend as you prepare for Monday!

Renee, your family will also be in my prayers...so sorry about your father in law. Have a safe trip this weekend.

Positive and Lynne, you two look fab!! Its so great yall got to meet up, love those smiles! The retreat sounds wonderful! I'd love to as well, I may have to think on that!!

Andrea, I'm sorry about your headaches, migraines are the worst! I never had one until after my hysterectomy years ago....I delt with them for awhile after that and its a miserable experience! Good they are checking things out with an MRI, keep us posted! Your grandkids are totally adorable!!!

Good luck to all of you getting started on rads next week! Hope everyone is feeling good and has a nice weekend in store.

I just ordered Miaderm based on the recommendations here. I only ordered one tube. Any suggestions on how many tubes I should order if I use it three times a day as recommended? I've had good luck with aquaphor but it is greasy.

I ordered two tubes of Miaderm based on a manufacturer's estimate--you may still be using it for a few weeks after radiation. Since you can get it from Amazon, though, you might want to start with one and make a note to yourself to order more a week before you need it (or two shipping days before if you have Prime).

I find it very smooth, easy to spread, and non-sticky. It doesn't stain my clothes and it smells fine.

I'm with you all on the weight gain - rather adds insult to injury. I also feel like my face has aged significantly in 6 months. Heading in to work today for a visit and agreed to a very short term assignment which is due Wednesday. We will see how that goes and whether my brain still works.

Started tamoxifen on Sunday. Has anyone else recently started? I've been on Zolodex injections since January, so I wasn't expected a big change in hot flashes and joint pain, but I was wrong! Hot flashes way more intense - like my head is going to burn up and explode! Already on an antidepressant, Gabapentin and magnesium and acupuncture, so I don't think there is much more to do but hope my body adapts.

The real bad SE in the crankiness! I am a fairly calm person, but I have really taken a few people's heads off this week for no reason! I read it's called Tam Rage! Hope that calms down. Anyone else experience that?

Guess I better stop procrastinating, try to find something in my closet that fits, draw on some eyebrows and head into work! Happy Friday!

Renee, I'm so sorry about your Father in Law. Praying for your family!

Ankle, what a horrible coincidence. Like someone said, right when you are "wrapping" things up. I agree with Karen, you should still go on with your surgery. I'm sure your mom would want you to. Praying for you guys, too! In fact, I pray for all of us every day!

Lynne and Lorraine....I'm so jealous! It would be nice to meet you ladies in person! It's really awesome that you got together.

Ksusan.....everyone has said that rads is a cakewalk compared to chemo.......do you agree?

Lynne, Blue, Scarlett, I think it's fair to say that none of us are feeling like ourselves. I hate the way I look, too. Sometimes I care, sometimes I don't. I had my mom go in pick up some takeout that I had just ordered, and I told her, just tell the guy at the front it's for the ugly, bald, limping lady who just came in. We both laughed.

So, stupid me has a hard time sitting still and just spending all day indoors, especially on a nice day. I took my mom and kids out for a bike ride, while mom and I walked of course, to a nice hilly trail. We've never been, so I had no idea how hard it was gonna be to go uphill for the kids. We just kept pushing through. Coming back, going downhill, my 4 yr old picks up speed, and in every effort to catch him, running after him, my calf muscle spasms and cramps, giving me excruciating pain. I've had problems with this calf ever since I've started Taxol. So, luckily, he slowed down, but I couldn't walk anymore! And we were already 1 1/2 miles in! We pull over, and I rest, almost faint, cause now I'm hurting and outta breath from Tuesday's treatment......I ended up having to ride my 11 yr old's bike all the way back. I'm still limping. Lesson learned here: Don't fool yourself thinking that your body can do what it once did.....and don't be an idiot thinking you can catch your 4 year old flying downhill on his bike. Well, at least they weren't inside playing videogames all day.

Gingeel-your calves too? Mine feel like they are Just about to cramp!!! All the time!

Gingeel and ThePrincess, I just met up with a friend who is also battling this and she was complaining about calf cramps and was told that this could be a form of neuropathy. Do you have it in your feet and hands? 

Chemo, just keeps giving! Hope you both find relief quickly. I share the exhaustion and have learned to finally admit I need help with a lot of everyday things, especially bringing groceries in from car. I just get so winded. I know from the first time this will improve with time but it gets very frustrating when you can't even do simple things without feeling tired. KBeee you amaze me! 

jumping in from the March chemo group, I had the calf cramps and pain, but 2 and 1/2 months out, it is subsiding. Also, my knees were really sore for quite awhile. Mine was worst in the back of my leg right below my knee area. Burned and hurt.

I've found radiation easier to work with than chemo, though my fatigue has been higher. Radiation effects hit only part of the body, it's a shorter treatment overall, and it mostly hits skin and muscles (sensations we're familiar with), not head and toes and nails and stomach and bladder and scalp and throat and....

My burning and itching are nominal and my fatigue, though a factor to manage, hasn't stopped me, just slowed me down.

Want an almost-done-with-radiation photo?