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

I was watching Poppy Harlow last night on CNN, and I think someone better send her the eyebrow video. One is higher than the other and we know what that means!

GKO- hahahaha yes we do! Are you starting Rads today?

Allibeths, are you as well?

Congrats KBEEE on the no-boot and the run!!!

Yay on clear margins, Dolphin! Sending good thoughts to your Mom and Step-Dad!

Yrrrrrrf. Why is it ok to hug cancer patients? I am not a damn teddy bear!!!! I know its about them, not you blah blah blah- but seriously. Even though it is very sweet. I have been subjected to another drive by hugging in Starbucks today. Nice elderly gentleman comes up to me and whispers "you have such a pretty face, are you covering your head because of a health condition?" And of course, I was like "yep, just finished chemo". And he hugged me. Sigh. Aside from the brutal treatment, the fear of ugly death, the disfigurment, and the annoyance of treatment, this has to be my new pet peeve.

Hi all!


My first rads went well...25 minutes total, including an education session! I have learned so much here and on the summer rads group that I knew what questions to ask. Thanks y'all! I am to have 24 rad treatments to my left upper chest/neck and 28 to my boob area. No boosts. I'm glad to finally have a schedule, because it means DH and I can actually plan a vacation when it's all done to see DS in Quebec! The nurse who did the education session said that swimming is fine as long as your skin is okay and you rinse it well after chlorine. That's great because I am going to a pool party tomorrow!


My headaches have settled down, thank God! I am experiencing some profound leg weakness now - I am sometimes very wobbly on my feet. I think it may be from the amytriptiline my GP put me on to prevent migraines. I will try going without tonight.


I met my mom's alcoholic, "going through a divorce" but still living with his wife boyfriend yesterday. Not a fan. Practically chain smokes (my mom has been a rabid reformed smoker for decades) and had 2 beer in about an hour despite being an alcoholic. It is really hard for us "kids" to see him with someone so unsuitable. There are allegations that this guy sexually abused a stepdaughter and some other relative as well. I hope those are not true!!
Such a change from my dad who died 4 1/2 years ago and was a true gentleman.

Anyway, enough of my doom and gloom.

Ksusan, love the hair! It gives the rest of us baldies hope!

Re awkward comments...the most common one I get is "you have such a positive attitude!" I never quite know how to respond. I usually say something like, "it's either curl up in a ball and die, or get on with life". Cancer sucks but it's not a death sentence. I am doing everything to make sure of that.

Andrea

steph- my standard response to that is "rabies"

Alibeths, this is from a post that "Special" posted in the March chemo DB, I just cut and pasted the skin care regime. Apparently, this woman had the techs commenting on how good her skin looked.

--------------------------------------------------------------

My appt was first thing in the morning:

-Aloe Vera 100% Gel 6 oz Gel by Fruit of the Earth (applied directly after treatment) from amazon
-Miaderm (applied 2-4 hours later)
-Faulding Essentials Vitamin E Cream 75g (from Australia) (applied 4-6 hours later)
-100% Pure Emu Oil (4oz) by Progressive Emu (applied 6-10pm) from amazon
Aquaphor Healing Ointment by Eucerin (Walgreens or CVS) (applied before bed)
(Rub the Aquaphor ointment vigorously between your palms to soften it up before applying)
-Basis Sensitive Skin Bar (Walgreens or CVS) (used for washing before treatment, rinse well, protecting breast from direct shower spray)

I wore a very soft lightweight cotton tank top from Target each day under my bra. If you have 'saggy' breasts wrap the tank top all the way over and under the breasts so there is no skin on skin contact where the breast 'hangs down'. the tank should also came all the way up to the base of the armpit area. I also bought a bra that was larger and looser than normal.

I used a VERY generous amount of lotion/oil/cream, smeared and gooped it all over the breast, underneath and under the armpit all the way to the back. Especially made sure the nipple area was well coated. The cotton tank top absorbed the extra so it didn't get on my bra.
I would also suggest taking a picture of your fields when they draw on you so you know where to goop and make sure you cover all the areas.

It's a bit over the top but it kept me busy and I felt like I was doing something to help myself and my skin did alright. Hope that is helpful!

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Obviously, you have to adjust a little if your appointment isn't first thing in the morning.

I saw tank tops at Target - I think they were 3/$18.

Alibeths, I just posted a reply to your question in the other thread. I'll add here that I didn't slather or "goop" on the lotions and I've done just fine. I have stayed very hydrated and kept my protein up.

Non-metallic. I'm not sweating much on that side, so I'm not using anything.

I have only used Aquaphor when I have really dry skin and don't need to go out (night, afternoon).

I'm so tired after only second day of rads.

I see the posts are busy. I have to catch up reading! Bad couple of days. My FIL passed away yesterday afternoon. My MIL taking it very hard even though it was expected and he has battled Parkinson's for so long. It is a blessing knowing that he is done battling as it was so very bad at the end. He was a great man and just such a positive influence for anyone who met him. He will be dearly missed. Now we have to work on MIL and get her through the grief. We are a bit worried as she has had deep depression episodes in the past. So glad my son lives with her and is a source of communication for us about how things are going. I'm sure we will be spending a couple weekends their way. Death and the finality have a huge impact on me after my cancer diagnosis. I try not to future trip but the reality is just there in the back of my mind that my life is probably not going to be as long as I hoped. But then again whose life really is and it's not about the length it's about the quality, happiness, and living fully each day as none of us really knows when we will expire.

Littleblue & Stephmoen: I'm laughing/crying with you with your stranger stories and all I can say is wow what obnoxious people. I haven't been subjected to any of that yet. Definitely get more stares with a hat, buff, or scarf. So prefer to wear a wig but the heat is not comfortable for that right now. I did get free chips at Chipotle. I placed my order and paid and looked at the receipt and told the cashier oh I think the chips got missed and the cashier said no really you are good don't worry about it I got it. I put a nice tip in the jar. Figured I must have looked awful and she felt sorry for me with my head cover, runny eyes and super pale skin.

Lynne: Great tips for rads! I am anxiously waiting for Thursday to meet RO and get info.

Alibeths: Hope the fatigue gets better. Geeeesssshhh like we all need that too, NOT!

Andrea: Love the mom's boyfriend story and description. Yikes I bet you don't know if you should cry, laugh or maybe do both. Glad the headaches are better, especially with starting rads.

Ankledolphin: Glad surgery went well and you are recovering. Hang in there and you will be great for your mom!!!

Kbeee: No boot! Yay! That has to feel really good.

Prayers and Happy Days for All

Renee, so sorry to hear about your FIL. He sounds amazing. I hope your MIL gets through it okay. So difficult to say goodbye.

Alibeths - re skin care during rads: the information sheet I got from the cancer clinic said any gentle lotion is good as long as it is water soluble (ie, water should be the first ingredient listed). Aveeno was mentioned...I can't remember what else offhand. It said to use it at least twice a day - I am aiming for three. And to apply generously. It is also important to keep covered in the sun...ie, if you are having rads to the supraclavicular area, wear a scarf to cover it in the sun. Washing with a mild soap is important too (Ivory, Dove).

My mom has been driving me to my rads appointments. My dad died of melanoma 4 1/2 years ago...I asked her today if it brings back bad memories, coming to the cancer clinic every day like she did with my dad. She said no, that it was just something she had to take care of. She did say that she never imagined she would be driving her daughter there. I hope it's the last family member she will have to do this for! Hopefully I will be driving myself soon. My headaches are pretty much gone but the leg weakness and dizziness episodes persist.

Off to a friend's pool party soon! Yay! Since it is only day 2 of my rads and I don't have any skin effects yet I will be going in the pool!

Andrea

Rpayton - my fingernails look EXACTLY like that now - and it didn't even happen until 2 weeks after my final chemo. Up til then my nails were better than ever. ??? Go figure! I'm not usually a manicure gal either - bought some pale pink polish today.