Winter 2015-16 RADS

WHOOP whoop!!! Duzy Brimton Mary we did it!!! Like you guys I danced in and out...the lady that goes before me was in the waiting room and i wished her well and told her today was my last day..she said tomorrow was hers then hugged me and said may we never come back..right after my final zap..my fave "dream ream" RT came in clapping and congratulated me with warm hugs and thanked me for letting them walk me through my journey. I thanked them for being amazing even on my bad days. Then my fave nurse greeted me for my final RO visit (until next month) then presented me with a certificate signed by everyone..she walked me to the bell and said WE'RE RINGING THE BELL...she read the survivors poem that I wished I remembered.. And said ring that bell. I rang it and everyone clapped I took a bowed hugged my nurse and she said do something special for yourself today...and there i lost it..tears streamed down my face...and I danced out. I got in to work to flowers and cupcakes from co workers and one of the guys said he thought I was pretty amazing..they clapped more tears..then lunch with friends..champagne.. And no more work. It was a great day.

Everyone's day will be here soon. Hugs to all and big thanks again. Adarkadapted good luck tomorrow... RING THAT BELL!!!

Diane

FINDAWAY- I am not into alternative medicines or herbs or mediation, but I have a very good and caring friend who is, and sent me this article, which you or other sisters might find helpful, as it deals with ways to counteract the effects of damage to the body caused by the chemicals and radiation assaults of the treatments we all are or have been going through.

http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Surviving_Radiati...

MARY- what a great idea to give radiation staff. I love the idea of little candies in a jar. I was going to get that large jar of jelly beans from Costco ( sort of like little Easter eggs?) but I did not know what to put them in. Will get to Target this weekend for the neat jar.

SUNNYONE22 - I love your visuals. What a great idea to measure the passage of time; according to the disappearance of gumballs. I bet Einstein would even be impressed. And, as you say you get a treat. I get to the rad center early enough to make a hot chocolate in their coffee/ tea / and goodie bar - that being my treat.

I am 6 days down, and 22 to go, and time is going fast, of course I have not reached the point of getting SE effects yet. Am intrigued by the cabbage leaf recommendation, have to copy that on a note pad, for just in case.

So glad to hear all the joy and relief of all who have completed course of radiation, and relieved to hear the SE do eventually subside.

Careful hugs to all,

Windward

I slammed the CRAP outta that gong. W000000000000000000000T!!!

DONE!!! Hopefully, forever!!! *MASSIVE HUGS* to everyone still enduring, and high-fives to those who've finished!!!

loving all the photos. Congrats to those who finished this week.

Finished #20 this morning. Minimal side effects so far. Wishing everyone a peaceful weekend.

Wow - I am so loving the pictures and hearing and seeing that people are done...DONE!!! Hooray!!

I'm not sure my clinic has any fun way to signify completion...but I'll be more observant and look around when I go today. If it's true and they don't, I'm sure I'll find some way to celebrate on my own. That is weeks away though.... Today is the end of weeks three. 3-ish more to go...maybe 4. Skin holding up OK, trying not to scratch when my sternum gets itchy.

- xo

I, too, had a hysterectomy 10+ years ago and then was put on Arimidex last month. I had more side effects at the beginning but they are calming down. I start rads on Monday - had simulation today. I'm so very happy for those who are finished!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunnyone - please, please please do me a favour. Don't use the word "cured" when talking about breast cancer. There is NO cure for breast cancer, only the hope of becoming NED (no evidence of disease) for as long as you can. Look how many "Run for the Cure" races there are around the world.... It is deceiving to use the word cured and sets people up for unreal expectations for the future. Yes, we all know someone who had breast cancer and died of something else. Like someone with heart disease being hit by a truck. They didn't die of their serious disease, but of something else..

I can attest to the fact that treatment is no guarantee you will stay cancer free.

Fair enough on the word "cured". Didn't work for me and 100,000+ others that have died of breast cancer....

So good today to not have to be a treatment first thing in the morning. Sad though that our own Michigan State basketball was knocked out in the first round. That sure screwed up many brackets.

DiDel - What a great gift and so happy you are done.

Adarkadapted I loved the picture I wish we would have had something like that. Congrats on being done.

To everyone who came on to wish me congratulations I can not say thank you enough. This board is a great source of encouragement, compassion and truly caring people who keep us moving forward everyday. Each of us will continue to be with everyone who is still going through treatment and will continue to offer support.

Mary you have done such a great job of keeping this board up to date and responding to everyone comments. That is a lot since this has been a very active topic. I am so glad you were able to celebrate with your boys on your last day. I had lunch with my mom and sister and dinner with my husband and daughter. By the way I am jealous of your hair, it seems pretty thick and looks great. Mine is so slow in growing back. I am 16 weeks PFC and it is pretty thin. I decided my last day of wearing hats was my final radiation so today I went to work without and it felt great. Oh all the little and big things we celebrate.

Have a great weekend everyone and hope for minimal SE for each of you.

Glad to hear others love March Madness. What a great distraction right now while my skin continues to peel. I might have a chance on my bracket even though I am from Michigan I had them losing to N Carolina in the final 4. There may be hope yet. I plan to sit around topless and watch games most of the weekend. No kids at home for me. The doctor told me air helps dry the raw skin.

Scary image but hope it helps my skin.

My place does not have a bell. I doubt if they have a gong either At least they changed the room light to green for St. Patrick's Day.

I had one "old" tech today and one new one. The new one kept apologizing whenever she had to touch me or move me. I finally told her there was no need to apologize because I'm used to the routine.

Diane, I know it must have been awesome to sleep in! Hugs to you too!

I have six more whole-breast and then 5 boosts. I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Happy Weekend All! Great photos and thanks for sharing!.

Mary and all who finished this week....big congrats to you and best wishes to those in treatment and starting out next week. It does go fast once it gets started.

Had #12 yesterday with 4 whole tx to go and 5 boosts? So far have "pinked up", red/pink spots on and under breast, and itchy on chest. Told to use hydrocortisone cream 0.05% for itch and given sanitary pads to put under breast! Using soft cloths instead. Nice having the two days to recover a little.

MARY......You have and are doing a fabulous job keeping this board up to date and responding to everyone's comments. Hugh thanks!!

i love reading all the celebration stories! We're having a party for me tomorrow, and we've spent the last two days cleaning and shopping. Trying not to exhaust myself so I can enjoy it!

@katja I think it's to help with healing and combat fatigue.

Hooray for everyone who finished last week! Such a tight knit group, supportive and encouraging to each other..

Mary, I have to commend and thank you for the detailed attention you have given to this forum. You haven't left anyone out or let our comments hang in the breeze. You have responded with compassion to all which is evidence of your commitment to helping all of us through our unique experiences. You have a rare gift...you are a blessing...I hope that you have felt the love returned to you!

I have three boosts left out of 33 treatments and still have minimal side effects: redness, mild itching. My day to day life is entirely unaffected except for the added hour.

Those starting, I recommend buying 2 tubes of miaderm, 1 bottle of pure unscented aloe and 1 jar of aquaphor advanced therapy healing ointment ( I purchased all through Amazon). Also, 3-4 loose fitting, SOFT polyester tank tops to wear under everything (I used jockey elance and Cuddl Dud tanks because I found that cotton, especially ribbed, stuck to my topical creams and ointments and felt heavier on my skin), Go braless if you can, eat well, hydrate, exercise in some way to increase your endurance and stick to a routine. Give yourselves a gift daily, weekly or at the end. Prior to starting I filled a jar with 33 Hershey's dark chocolate with almond nuggets and I ate one after each treatment, it's a visual and small treat to mark my progress and of course chocolate has healing powers of its own

Regarding protein, it is vital for wound healing. Be careful how much you eat and the source. A diet too high in protein can damage your kidneys and at the very least cause severe constipation. Before adding a significant amount of protein, speak to your physician.

http://woundcareadvisor.com/how-dietary-protein-intake-promotes-wound-healing-vol2-no6/

I wish you all a week that goes by quickly. I truly believe we will all reach the finish line stronger and braver than we were at the starting line.

Hugs to ALL!