January 2018 RADS group

Options
1…1011131516…25

Comments

  • gigibee
    gigibee Member Posts: 192
    edited January 2018

    thank you all for your kind words and support.

    Here is my current situation. Remember I was prone and just doing boosts these last 7 so that area is more pink, and shout out to my BS on that scar.

    downnotout: I have not had an MRI my surgeon said he used to do them on 80% of cases now he does them on 20% , said it resulted in too many false positives and unnecessary or more aggressive surgeries . Hang in there, you are going through quite a ride.

    image

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HersheyKiss
    HersheyKiss Member Posts: 550
    edited January 2018

    Gigibee, a belated "Congratulations!" on finishing treatment! Your skin looks in great shape. Way to go! :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • smwusaf
    smwusaf Member Posts: 129
    edited January 2018

    Congrats Gigibee! I'll be there soon too. Finished my whole breast treatments and now only 4 boosts left.

    I noticed today that I can actually see the outline of the whole area that was treated. The color ranges from tan to red but I can definitely see the outline. I'm all of a sudden exhausted too. I think I'll go take a nap soon. I can't wait to be on the backside of all of this....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited January 2018

    Towards, your are going to be finished soon, counting down.

    Down it seems to be they are checking everything for you to make sure no more Cancer. That’s good. It is so stressful and so much anxiety.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Towardshealth17
    Towardshealth17 Member Posts: 47
    edited January 2018

    smwusaf I just noticed the same thing. My outline is starting to appear with 13/21 treatments done. I just filled a prescription for a stronger cortisone cream, my RO wants me to stick with the Eucerin on all the less iritatated areas.

    Thanks for sharing the photo of your skin Gigibee. It gives me a reference point. I have 3 more whole breast treatments and then 5 boosts. I had guessed that the targeted area would continue to increase in redness. Hope you are enjoying the feeling of being done.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DownNotOut
    DownNotOut Member Posts: 99
    edited January 2018

    Hang in there, Towards! You are on the home stretch! Paulette and some others increased their protein intake and drink a lot of water - are you doing that as well?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • scaligirl
    scaligirl Member Posts: 74
    edited January 2018

    Gigibee, congrats on finishing!! So very happy for you!

    Missy, I'm sorry and hope your infection clears up soon

    Towards, I have a little trouble too with one particular area itching now, right under my breast. What I have found is working the past couple of days is to use Aspercream, and then hydrocortisone ointment on top of that. The aspercream has a little bit of lidocaine in it so it kind of numbs my skin a but and then the cortisone helps with the itchiness too. Hope you get some relief!

    smwusaf I have that outline thing too. it's weird how precise it all is.

    Down, fingers crossed for a good dx on your bx.

    Chips, welcome :)

    Pierce, I wouldn't worry too much about the MRI. I actually ended up having two while I was getting diagnosed and they didn't find any more cancer than the two ultrasounds I also had did. Plus they were uncomfortable as hell so you're not missing that. I have faith our doctors are doing the very best for our care, no matter who we have treating us.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • smwusaf
    smwusaf Member Posts: 129
    edited January 2018

    The nurse told me to mix equal part neosporin, cortisone, and lotrimin for the itchy areas. It does help some. But she said it's not to be used instead of the all over moisturizer, but on top of it. Also udder cream for the sore nipple.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Towardshealth17
    Towardshealth17 Member Posts: 47
    edited January 2018

    Down,

    I do drink about 80oz of water and have increased my protein intake since surgery. Thanks for the suggestions.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2018

    Day 9/33, and I am just tired today. I was tired 5/33, too. Still not noticing anything on the skin. My port scar has been very itchy today, though. It will definitely be an early-to-bed kind of night. Ready for the weekend break!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HersheyKiss
    HersheyKiss Member Posts: 550
    edited January 2018

    Kim, I'm looking forward to the weekend break too. I've developed a small skin rash on my shoulder, and it is very itchy. Today the nurse gave me some 1% cortisone cream to use on it. If that doesn't do the trick, she'll give me a 2% cream tomorrow. My skin really needs this weekend to rest.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited January 2018

    I dont have much itching problem, used Benadryl cream couple times that’s all. Many of you saw my picture and noticed how red my skin turned. Today actually feel a little better. Skin still red, I do think the new skin is trying to grow underneath.

    Kim, I had fatigue problem also, I almost nap every afternoon.

    Toward, you’re doing great, I found boost is much easier than whole breast. Woot! Woot! Approaching finish line.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PVM
    PVM Member Posts: 136
    edited January 2018

    Down sending you positive vibes & hope all goes well with your results. They are just making sure all is good with you as you continue to kick butt!!!!!

    My fellow warriors hang in there tomorrow is last day of rads before your 2 day break on your skin so stay strong. Moisture as much as you can & be good to your body like Down & Paulette suggest drinking water & protein. I was somewhat lucky went through my 21 sessions good & had minimal skin damage however my boosts did me in days after finishing rads, plus it didn't help that my arm rubs against the area. My incision is peeling the worst & while this looks really bad it's not that horrible & worth it to kick C in the butt.

    image

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lewhy
    Lewhy Member Posts: 54
    edited January 2018

    Done! 20/20. It feels strange to be done. I feel like everyone, my family and friends, think it is all over now. I feel like I should be happier, but all I can think is it's on to the next thing, Tamoxifen. I am sore and tired. I am sorry to complain, but I feel sad and mad. I am mad that I have half a breast and sad that no one understands how I feel. I should be happy, but I feel like I will always worry about a reoccurence or what the radiation has done to me. I guess I just need to vent. Good luck to everyone, keep moisturizing and only one more day until the weekend

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CindyNY
    CindyNY Member Posts: 1,022
    edited January 2018

    Lewhy- Congratulations on finishing rads! Your emotions are real, being sad & mad isn't out of the ordinary for us bc warriors. My friends & family were the same as yours - rads finished & its over. But we know its not. My MO & RO said that for the next number of years every thing from a hang nail to pain will make me think I've got cancer back someplace. I'm not sure what the answer is, but you're among bc sisters here, vent all you want. HUGS!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Katiejane777
    Katiejane777 Member Posts: 109
    edited January 2018

    Congrats Gigibee and PMV!! So happy for you both!!!!

    To everyone else hope it is going well. I'm thinking of you all. I am 7/21 down. I went to the breast physio after my last Rad treatment and she did a lymphatic massage and put tape on my breasts to encourage the lymph to find other pathways. It was a lot less red in the morning but unfortunately the tape came off after my shower. I am doing lots of self lymphatic massage so hopefully that will help too. I see her again in a week. Other than that I feel great.
    Stay strong everyone and keep moisturising!!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Katiejane777
    Katiejane777 Member Posts: 109
    edited January 2018

    Congrats on finishing Lewhy!! I have a friend who has just started Tamoxifen and so far she feels fine. Fingers crossed it's ok for us too. I understand your trepidation. I am a bit terrified of taking it and the Zolodex my Rad Onc wants me on. Hopefully we will be okay.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited January 2018

    Lewhy... woot woot!!! 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻 Happy dance!!!

    I cried on my last day of radiation, I didn’t cry on my last day of chemo. I know what you meant, our life have changed and no way we can go back. We will be strong and kick C out of the door!

    Katie I got these tapes before, I was lucky they did stay about two days for me, I can’t see PT now since my skin is so messed up, I’m hoping my fluid will go away so I don’t have to do PT again.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • smwusaf
    smwusaf Member Posts: 129
    edited January 2018

    Lewhy, I'm having those same feelings. Out of nowhere last night I just cried realizing I worry about cancer recurring somewhere else in my body. I guess that's something to deal with from now on. Plus the feeling that everyone thinks it's over, now get back to normal. There is a new normal for us I think.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Towardshealth17
    Towardshealth17 Member Posts: 47
    edited January 2018

    Hugs to you all. Happy Friday. After today I will be 2/3 done with RADS (14/21)

    Lewhy I so get what you are saying. We know it's not over and every day is an exercise in adjusting to the new normal. Our friends and family count down with us and are happy to have something to celebrate. I feel a lot of pressure to think positively and sometimes it's exhausting in addition to coping with the SE. HUGS. Glad we can keep it real here and feel what we feel.

    You ladies inspire me, we are strong warriors. We feel so much and are strong enough to face and share the good, the bad and the scary THAT is true strength and courage 😘💗


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2018

    Lewhy, Congrats on finishing! If it helps, find a support group to get through this new phase of life. I am trying my best to enjoy each day, as I can and not worry about tomorrow. I have done everything I can possibly do to annihilate this cancer. I will not let it steal my future joy. I hope you can find a place of peace that you are doing all you can! Go forward and be joyful!

    PVM, Ouch. :( Boosts did this to you? So sorry.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PVM
    PVM Member Posts: 136
    edited January 2018

    Congrats Lewhy that is amazing hope you cried happy tears as you deserved too. Its okay to be mad & vent heck you have been through alot. BC is not just pink ribbons i always say its physical & mental scars too. Stay strong & positive you did it, you kicked it in the butt!!!!! hugs

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • smwusaf
    smwusaf Member Posts: 129
    edited January 2018

    17/20 today! So glad it's Friday, I need to rest. I know you all need too as well. Have a pleasant rads free weekend.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited January 2018

    Congrats to all who have completed rads! It is very emotional. For me it was the last part of a long journey. Headed to my MO today to see what my next step will be. Glad my TE held up during rads and hoping my skin heals quickly so I can get my exchange surgery.

    Katiejane, are you having LE just from the sentinel node removal? I had 13nodes removed but have not had any LE symptoms so far. It's simething I worry about as I know it can happen even in years to come.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Katiejane777
    Katiejane777 Member Posts: 109
    edited January 2018

    OCD Amy the Physio doesn't think it's lymohodema at this stage. She thinks it's just the surgery that has messed up the lymph draining properly. We are trying to give it other options hence the lymph draining massage. I only had 3 nodes out so it sucks this is an issue. My arm and everywhere else is great, it's just my breast that is a bit pink and swollen

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lewhy
    Lewhy Member Posts: 54
    edited January 2018

    Thank you everyone for your cheers, your pep talks and understanding. I feel better today, but owe my husband a big apology. I was terrible to him last night and he was only trying to make me feel better. I am always trying to minimize my situation so that he and our kids don't worry about me, and I am fortunate that I had such an early detection and didn't have to have chemo like many of you. Last night I just wanted affirmation from him about what I had been through, but because I always minimize it he doesn't know what to say. Today is a new day and I am going to be positive. I am finished with rads and I made it through pretty unscathed. That is what I can focus on. Rest up this weekend everyone and PVM, I hope your skin heals quickly

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • smwusaf
    smwusaf Member Posts: 129
    edited January 2018

    geez, just got results back from a mole on my back. it was some kind of cancer but the margins were clean and they just want to recheck in 6 months. I feel like getting old sucks, in 6 months they found polyps in my colon (benign), BC and now my little mole...... oh, and osteopenia.

    On the plus side, I'm getting screened and finding and fixing stuff. :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Towardshealth17
    Towardshealth17 Member Posts: 47
    edited January 2018

    Smwusaf I so understand how you feel. I have a list of tests to do when I am done with Rads. I worry about all of them. Kudos on getting all your screenings! Proud of you!

    Me too on the osteopenia!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Towardshealth17
    Towardshealth17 Member Posts: 47
    edited January 2018

    Lewhy my husband has been as supportive as he can be in concrete ways but has no idea how to deal with my emotions. I know they are normal but he can’t get it. They get the unfiltered stuff when we are too tired, too emotional too EVERTHING to deal. How can we explain when we don’t get it ourselves. This is so challenging. That is why we are superheros and warriors. Be as kind and forgiving to yourself as you can. I cried at the hair salon today when my stylist wanted to change something. Go figure! 😂😂😂

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gigibee
    gigibee Member Posts: 192
    edited January 2018

    Lewhy I feel ptsd coming on myself, it's like ok now what, no appt everyday, am I doing enough, did we do enough? I also feel my husband gets the short end of the stick. I too try to minimize things for his sake and our kids, but then when the moments come that I want validation at a precise moment and don't feel like I get it I can be nasty. Its such an emotional rollercoaster. Sometimes I am all "this is the first day of the rest of my life" and others I am like "who knows how much time I have left" not a fun place to live. I am glad you are here, there are so many wonderful people full of experiences and information to help us through this.

    OCDAmy good luck ay your MO appt.



    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories