starting rads feb 2017

mamasha.. i have never used it in front .. ouch is right, but I do lay bare back on my mine all the time . It is very effective on a hard surface, but I use it in bed . It does hurt and little when you are not used to it, but then ahhh it feels so wonderful . 15 mins is all you need to start . It is like a natural analgesic . You have to be patient. Itcwill not poke holes in your back . I promise!! There are several you tube demos of the use of the mat . Let me know if you need any help . ❤💗👍

Thank you 3bears and Beachbabyk , I am so in awe of these gals who do these rounds of chemo with such courage and conviction. I hope that everyones rounds go quickly and we never have to revisit BC again . Love you all .. Have a great weekend everyone .

Did #6/25 today. Yesterday felt some pain around the tissue expander. RO said probably due to skin contraction. No redness yet but a bit of skin roughness around the collarbone.

Today is 14/23. My breast is bright pink and nipple is sore but manageable. Keep slathering on that lotion and drink that water ladies!

Pamela23, I will be in the same position as you for 25 zaps and then 6 on my back to the tumor spot. I have my dry run on Wednesday and start on Thursday.

HiPatti1746 ,

They never mentioned the word boost to me so I am not sure. Just know from asking today that the 14th will be my last tx.

Wed. I will see the MO again .Probably to discuss the AI's . My bone density test was within the proper range for my age . No osteoporosis or osteopenia.

CowboyUp , your hair looks beautiful . The color is lovely as well . You are gorgeous.

Thanks for the encouragement ABoob , I know we are rounding the final turn . But it's still very much a mind blowing experience at every phase. I just hope we all are preventing recurrence as planned. Then we can put it completely behind us for good! Yes!! Love and hugs

Patti1476, no Tamoxifen yet. MO wants me to wait until after Radiation.

so I did my 19/20 this morning (yay)....however I found myself very emotional when the techs left the room. I could feel tears run down my face but I made sure to stay still. I said my prayers, that included all if you, but still can't believe this crazy sad journey.

mamasha - You are almost there - yeah! Also have somewhat irritated nipple - talked to rad nurse - got a prescrip lidocaine ointment - has worked well, along with using miaderm cream 3 - 4x daily. Have had several emotional moments in rad room, especially at the start. You are totally entitled to express your emotions - believe most of the rad techs have seen it all and are generally sympathetic. Best wishes for your continued healing.

Thanks AB, Celia and Elem for the pep talk! Elem you are right behind me sprinting to the end!! Yes, it is bittersweet because now we're are left on our own but guess what we don't have go anywhere!!

Cowboyup good luck as you begin xo and continued hugs to all

Patti1746, I just posted on this very thing on the January 2017 surgery group. I was emotional and still am...I finished radiation on 2/15 and my husband kept saying "aren't you so happy?" I was happy but it was also strange...I am still doing physical therapy (for cording in my left arm) and this morning, they told me they are cutting me loose after a few more visits and again I got emotional. I was trying to explain to the other group this feeling because I was not prepared for how I felt and hoping to help others. I think the best way to put it is while you are in treatment, you have this team of doctors and the whole process is filled with stages/decisions/options/research...at each stage you feel like you are doing something to get rid of the cancer and then suddenly it's all over and they say, "See you in 6 months"! I want to move forward and get back to life but the last 4 months of everything was so huge made such an impact that it's a little difficult to get going again and not worry about cancer anymore. I am alone without my team of docs hoping and praying I did everything I could and I made the best decisions along the way to wipe out all the cancer. Then many of us have been so fortunate to have developed amazing friendships here and I feel a little strange posting sometimes because I don't really have much to contribute except "normal" life stuff and that makes me feel bad because so many of my new friends are still way deep in the fight.

Congratulations to all those wrapping up rads and may you find a peaceful and easy re-entry to "normal" life.

HI everyone!

• Yes, I was done at 925 this morning! Yay. I didn't know if I should take an ativan before I left home and let my sister drive but I decided that I would be OK without it:) Patti, there is a bell but I knew on day one I wasn't going to ring it....I wanted to slip out like I slipped in. Every time I heard that bell during the past 20 visits, I would feel happy for the person but then really sad that any of us has to ring it. Seems so unfair and surreal. Fightingirl, I think the same thing about not having a place tomorrow. It's like I'm so happy that I can come home after I drop off my kids to school but it will be weird being "done". I keep thinking what if......and I have to catch myself. How come my brain doesn'the think "what if i live to 99"? Still in the back of my brain is the question is it really gone? When I catch up on bco main page, I scroll down and always take a peek of the latest post on stage IV. I get so nervous about mine returning like these brave women and men. I guess that we have to believe that we are done. My tech said don't get stuck in that for too long. She said love your kids and husband and be happy. I know that she's right. I got to move on from that terrible phone call on December 16th and focus on the applause from my team on March 8th. You my friends are the only ones that understand the significance of both. Let's keep the good reports going while we cheer on our friends that are finishing.

Hi Fighting Girl - nice to hear from you. What you wrote is exactly what I've been thinking! For the past four months my life, my thoughts have all been about breast cancer and that will end next week. That should be a happy moment, a big relief, time to move on. But I feel as though I will be on my own, alone. It's a very strange feeling and crazy since there are people in worse situations who want it all to end.

Ok I've developed blisters on my neck that have now popped and are oozing. My RO is calling in Silvadene. Who used this and what can I expect? Any help would be appreciated.