Anyone start rads in October?

Brenda, I love the visualization of your air fleas.  Too funny!  Frankly my dear, I think your co-workers should be throwing you a party, but I understand your sentiments.  When I finished chemo, I gave each of the onc nurses and doc, along with a couple extremely supportive friends a beeswax angel candle.  I wanted them to know they were all angels.  A local beekeeper in town made them. 

I have to say I'm disappointed about the mold.  Thought we'd have a candy dish made from it.  Oh well.  Less clutter is a good thing. 

Sandra, I'm so glad to hear you are making the holiday trip.  What could be more therapeutic.  

Have a great day everyone.

Debbie 

I should be working but I'm not.  I'm reading these threads.  Ugh! <must get focused; must pay the bills>

Anyhow, on the lymphedema thread, they were talking about compression camis to manage lymph drainage, etc.  Someone suggested the Barely There stretch camis.  I bought three.  I love them. I wear them under my blouses.  It isn't the same as going braless but another option.  I also wear the other camis with the built in shelf bra.  Again with a blouse over top.

As for wearing my hair, I've taken to going hatless.  I have quarter inch hair and with big earrings, it works for me.   But then I'm a no makeup person  as well. 

OK back to work.

Debbie 

Hi Glow Gang,

I'm on T4 and no problems yet, but I did develop what I think is lymphdema Under the Arm. Debbie, it sounds like you might know a lot about lymphdema. Is that what it is when your underarm fills up sort of like a sack of gel? It was like this right after surgery and then cleared up, but now is back. I have an appointment with the lymphedema therapists that was very hard to get, so...I hope that's what it is.



Are all of you getting xrays often to make sure everything is lined up correctly? My onc wants to xray twice a week and that seems like a lot. Is that too much or standard?



I know, I know. I'm full of questions today. Spring is here. Or at least the honeysuckle and gardenias think it is. We had about half a week of fall and now it's back in the upper 70's here in dry, dry North Georgia. I'm not complaining. The trees are gorgeous and I'm not running the heat or the air. The windows are wide open.



Thanks for any light anyone can shine on my questions. (Glow, girls, glow?)



Debbie M.

Layne,  you've been busy.  It hasn't been fun.  I'm sorry to hear you've been fighting bronchitis along with everything else.  Are you feeling better?  We get to the end of these weeks with rads and it wipes us out.  You must feel exhausted.

Penni, tell me.  Did you take a picture of your artwork?  It must have been very cool.  

Debbie, I don't know enough about lymphedema yet.  I'm learning out of necessity.  I did pick up a book that the lymphedema board gals recommended.  It's by Jeannie Burt and Gwen White.  I also frequent the lymphedema board here on breastcancer.org.  Binney is the one who knows a bunch.  I'm glad to hear you have an appointment with the LE clinic.  It is a great idea to get a baseline.  My surgeon set me up with my first appointment right after surgery.  Because I'm a runner, I was very concerned.  Well no that my arm is swollen, I'm lined up for the intensive clinic.  Having the baseline probably made the difference as they could see my arm had changed.  For me it goes from the top of the arm to the bottom and into the hand.  It isn't flabby.  It is full with fluid and tender.  I hope that helps give you an idea to compare to what you may be experiencing.  

Debbie 

Hi Glow-gals, nice to see you all here today!

Sandra, I'm glad you are going on your trip!!! I'm glad you came here to see that Layne is going to Cancun, so yes, your request is reasonable!!  I had the same bc situation as you do. I didn't start rads til 2 months later - so time is not of the essence especially w/DCIS.

Debbie, you are havin' fun on the board today. What do you do for your job? Besides surf the web. Hee hee. Congrats on being half way!

((Layne)) such a bummer that you've been sick. Your mood seems good, so that helps. I'm so glad you get to go to Cancun and I hope you are feeling a lot better for your trip.

Motherbear, thanks for checking in - was wondering where you went to!

Penni - a flasher, eh? I guess it takes all kinds!

Ok, now for my report on boosts. The metal attachment that they put on the Linear Accelorator is called an electron cone. I tried google images and couldn't get a picture. The mold - Debbie its a hole not a bowl shape - no holding candy there - but you sure have creative ideas and make me laugh. So this mold is made of cerrobend which is an amalgamtion of 4 different metals. They melt it down after they are done and I guess reuse it? My therapist said they are expensive to make. PTL for insurance. So it does come close - closer than the regular Tx, but just stays on that one side and zaps it.

2 more days to go!! Woo hooo!! No extra fatigue to speak of, tho I do seem to sometimes need extra sleep and maybe a bit more down time on the weekend, though nothing major. 

Drat, since I asked for ideas I should give the correct info, no?

Skin lesions not mast cell, they are basal cell.

Will try to figure out how to edit my post.

Edited OK, now how to remove this one?

sigh

Layne - glad to hear you are on the mend.

Sandra - enjoy your time off, it sounds well deserved and needed.

Brenda - that is good news about the boosts - I have those the end of the month.

I am feeling fairly tired by Thurs and Fri now after 13 zaps.  I guess that is typical.  I really like a couple 20 min naps when I telecommute.

Hope you all have a good weekend break from rads and don't forget your clocks tonight.

Joanne

Hi all! Whew, my post disappeared - must have hit the wrong button. I am in shock that I have only 1 (one!) Tx left! That seems surreal. The time really has gone fast. So I've had the same tech and a student with me this whole time. I said good-bye to the student (she is not there on Mondays), we gave each other a big hug - and I actually felt a little sad. Then I went into the waiting room - and I usually see the same people - so I said good-bye to them too, as I don't know if I'll see them Monday. This clinic has been such a positive experience.

My boob is still red, but now that I'm doing the boosts my nipple is healing - not cranky anymore, Layne! (and peeling). Still feel the same fatigue-wise. 

I ordered the chips, salsa and guacamole from Chevys. Will call in the pie order today and shop for a few things for the party. I had the idea today of making a list of all the things that God has done for me through this whole journey. I'm going to read them at the party, and hand out the noise makers I have from New Years, and we will cheer after each thing. This'll be fun. 

Layne, have a great trip! Sandra, I'm glad you are making the trip! Brenda, Joanne and Motherbear I'm glad things are going pretty well so far. Ferretmom, I'm pretty sure nothing explodes!!!  

Keep Glowin' ((hugs)) 

Debbie,

Glad to hear your scare was resolved quickly and turned out to be not a big deal. Phew!

That is great you have 4 weeks down. I just got my #14 and crossed it off on my calendar.

Are you still running during rads? I am finding by about Thurs and Friday I am more tired than usual. I do walk every AM, but I find I am loving a 20 min nap once or twice a day.

It was a great fall weekend in NJ as well.  DH and I went to Ocean City, NJ  and walked the boards and ate enough junk food to get us through the weekend.

Joanne 

Just back from my treatment (21/33).  Tomorrow I go for my boost simulation.  Seems like this portion of the trip has sped by.  I'm thinking it's because we go everyday, like going to work.  It'll be over before we know it. 

Hey, why don't we all head down to Cancun and surprise Layne?  Turning back the clocks does have its own side effects.  Cancun would be just the thing to fix it.  

Joanne, walking the boardwalk and eating goodies sounds like just the ticket.  

Sandra, how was the trip to the dentist?   Were they able to do anything given you are going through radiation?

Debbie 

Well...the

sorry bad post before...I was typing too fast

As visits to the dentist go, it was relatively easy...no novacaine...I had to endure the pain and pressure....lots of cement and a heavy handed technician.

I have been very tired today...I'm heading to treatment in about 15 minutes. Is muscle soreness behind your breast a side effect...I'm feeling a lot of tension.

I"ll check in later ladies.

Sandra

Hi all! Debbie, you are almost 2/3rds done - woo hoo!! Glad to hear you had a nice weekend. Sandra - no novacaine?? Wow - I can barely stand it with novacaine. You are one brave gal!

 Joanne, you are making good progress. I love being on the coast - I'm glad you had a nice weekend and are taking care of yourself with naps. That is great!

Well.........I'M DONE!!!! My party is in a couple of hours. My son and a friend went with me today to Tx and afterward we were shouting 'No more nukes, No more nukes!!'   

You'll get there ladies!! Keep going and take good care of yourself. I'll be back to check up on you all, for sure. ((hugs)) 

Helen, Congratulations!!!  How was the party?  That's so sweet that your sons were with you for your last treatment.  Nice boys.

Brenda, you and I are in lock step.  

Sandra, for sure talk to your onc about what you are feeling, but it is likely from the radiation.  Everything is becoming more tender in that area.  Glad you made it through the dentist, but no novacaine? You're a better woman than I.

As for tired, I was in bed last night at 8.  I was exhausted.   

Debbie 

Hi I,m arby and am 6 down, 29 rad treatments to go.  I wear L L Bean tee shirts inside out next to my skin and then a sweater , sweatshirt or shirt over that.  It is discreet and extrememly soft against the skin.  In fact for night  I also turn my sleep shirts inside out so the seams don't rub under my arm in the sentinel area. I agree that those camisoles with liner bras are awful and very unflattering..very flatter making!!!!    Good luck with dressing confidently.    I view my treeatments as my new "day Job" and actually dress like I'm going to an office on a casual Friday.  It boosts my morale to look nice early every day.