December 2017 Radiation Group

Reheadhere, if you think of your dermis as one huge organism over your whole body, if you are more sensitive to sunlight radiation, I suppose that getting that even in non-treated areas might make things itchy and red. I tend to get itchy and rashy when I am out in too much sun anyway, so I suppose that might get worse now that I have had rads. I will be interested in hearing how you do. Dh and I are planning a trip to the beach in March, and I'll want to be prepared.

Meanwhile, I am jealous!

Redhead- could be from sweat...when I workout at the gym, sweating makes it itchy, but I'm still healing. Do the quick call to Dr and ease your mind. ENJOY that weather!

You ladies ROCK!!! Thank you just for being here. It is so reassuring to know I could turn to you all and be given great insight and fellowship.

Sorry I'm late to the party .... Gigibee, congratulations on finishing RADs!! I was by myself at my last appt and when I got to my car it hit me that I was finally finished and started crying my eyes out. My last RAD was Dec 22nd and although I didn't get RED like so many here, I got a pink/itchy spot that is healing nicely. My boob is still slightly pink all over and if I don't use my lotion (some times I put it on later in the day because I don't want to ruin a nice top) I do notice it gets pink. So I need to be consistent and keep up with the lotion.

I forgot to show you ladies the bracelet/flask I bought myself. Remember when we were joking about BIG wine glasses and bottles a week or two ago, well I got this bracelet, as a joke of course. It's big, it's heavy, it's gaudy and I LOVE IT!!!! I don't really even drink. In fact my son asked me "why did you even get that?" and my response was "Because it's funny!!". I think it will make it's debut for the Superbowl party I'll be going to. I bought it on amazon. They had some that had these beautiful caps with rhinestones and all different colors. I went with the cheapest one since it is just to have fun with haha I haven't used it yet but I guess you use a funnel to fill it with your favorite beverage!!!

The funniest part about this bracelet is that I ordered it thru Amazon Prime. It was delivered in 2 days and not by the post office, it was a special delivery. Well, I got a phone notification that it was delivered and I knew it wasn't because I was working at home and my office window faces the street. My husband told me to wait a day to see if it would come. Wouldn't you know it, my next door neighbor came over apologizing for opening up the package because it was delivered to their front door and they assumed it was theirs. They are new neighbors and don't know me .... at all. So now they see I'm ordering a flask type bracelet and I'm sure they're thinking I'm an alcoholic, when in fact I rarely drink. I felt like I needed to go over and explain myself hahaha

Ellyn, your story made me chuckle! We trust that you don't have a drinking problem, and have a great time at your SuperBowl party...maybe you should invite your new neighbor so they can see the "real" you?

Hi Amy, I don't know if you remember me. We started chemo the same month. I just started radiation last week. It sounds like you are doing well. I am so glad to hear it. I became very Ill with chemo, due to type 1 diabetes. I am happy to say I am able to walk again. But, I've lost touch. I am feeling good now, rads seem really easy. I am having a really hard time with the exceptance of Tamoxifen. Was wondering if anyone here wanted to talk me off the ledge?

Hi there Leila, and welcome. Are you having a hard time with accepting the need to take tamoxifen? Or did you start and get side effects? I absolutely did NOT want to take a daily pill, but now that I'm three weeks in, it's all so much easier than I thought. It was the studies about reducing the rate of recurrence that convinced me to just take the darn pills. I figured I could reassess in a year.

Hi Leila welcome, i am sorry you became ill with chemo, unfortunately it does both good & bad to our bodies. Like Georgia said what is it that scares you about Tamoxifen? Is it that you are getting SE or don't want to take the pills. I have been taking it since Sept & can tell you that the SE are not too bad, they are tolerable & its nothing like chemo. My main SE is the hot flashes but i take the pill at night which helps. I do get stiff every now & then but its not constant & trust me its nothing like chemo. I think you need to maybe talk to your MO & see what is beneficial for you. I was not happy about taking it at first, read all the SE & thought the worst of it but honestly its doable & if it helps keep the ugly C away then i will take them as long as my MO suggests. Hugs & do what is best for you.

I am glad to hear a little bit of encouragement about Tamoxifen. That is my next stop, a week from now. I am pretty sure that I am going to take it. I just have hard days when I feel so unwell that I just dread adding another drug and trying to live with that too. It makes the next ten years seem like a very long time.

So glad we've all made it this far! Congratulations! Through out these months you have touched my heart more than you know.

Thanks for calming me!

Leilals,

I am so happy you have joined our group. What a rough time you have had, and I hope your course will be smoother sailing from here on out. You sound like a very determined lady and I love your attitude! I will also be on Tamoxifen and am worried about the SE's (we have the same hobbies ), but hearing what it is really like for real people is what gives me hope, and I am finding that here. God bless you, dear lady.

I always think quality of life is very important, Leila, the worse is over now life will be better!

Leilasl- I'm hoping the worst is behind you. Onward! You're proof of how strong you can be when the chips are down. HUGS to you.

Ellyn- that bracelet is priceless! You could fill it with iced tea, ask for a shot glass at the party, fill it up & slam it back...what, 2 - 3 times. LOL love it.

GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY FRIDAY WARRIORS!

Wait...aren't we supposed to be dancing for someone todayyyyy....SONIA! Step up to the dance floor...its gonna BE A LOVELY DAY!

Leilas; hello there... If these ladies here dont have the answer; then there isnt one. And the support...WOW! Beyond wonderful...

Ive been on tamox since Jan 1 and as PVM stated the only SE that ive had are the hot flashes; and as she said they arent that bad. I do find myself drinking more water now because sometimes I feel dehydrated; but that could be because of the 'after rads effect'. I also sometimes feel stiff when I sit a while but once i get up and get to moving im fine; no pain...just being 49 (lol)... But other than that I feel fine.

Trust...if you've gotten to this point this pill is smooth sailing. And as the ladies have said; LIVE! I know that takes on alot to say that w/so many unknown fears but by now I think we can pretty much survive ANYTHING! My prayers for you to be strengthened mind and body... We're human so 'doubt' has a way of sneaking in... but we're also fighters and WE WIN!

PauletteK im gonna try to get to your page today... not sure what was going on the other day... i'll keep you posted.

LADIES FOR YOU: