Anyone start rads in October?

Evenin' everybody, cept for Senorita Layne, vacationing in Cancun,

Sandra, you said a mouthful---soldiers on the battleground--ain't that the truth and I too am grateful everyday that the GloFriends are out there in cyberspace to hold my hand. 

Hi Arby!  I never would have thought of turning my inside shirt ---inside out to cure the seam rub--brilliant idea!  Thank you!  My nightshirt will be inside out tonite!!

Debbie, I started my 5 boosts last week.  First one on Friday and now 2 more to go.  My skin was getting pretty sore and Doc decided to do boosts in between to give it some time to heal.  I wish it were healing faster, as I'll have 9 more full treatments to go when we resume, but we're 2/3rds done now--Yippee!  Boosts are quicker, less set-up time.  I cut 15 mins. off my sick time used today. 

Helen, Helen, where has our Helen gone?  We need you to tell us what to expect now that your treatments are done.  Does the treatment clinic continue to monitor your skin or are we just set adrift?  How is your fatigue and how quickly can we expect to begin healing? 

Brenda

Here I am! Thank you all for your congratulations. Man oh man - I am 'hung-over' from the party - though not in the traditional way! The party was a bit of an over-do for my CFS - so I've been resting a lot today. My older son was sick so we watched a History Channel DVD on The Crusades for part of our school today. Whew. 

On top of the party, our sink decided to back up - why does that happen when you have the MOST dishes!! Anyway the kitchen was a disaster until after 5 pm today, but whatever! It is clean now! We've all been enjoying the leftovers - pie, chips and salsa, mini sausages - yum. I gave a little speech at my party and had everyone cheer in between - I'll post it here. That was really fun. Man though my body was not quite up to it, but hey, it was worth it.

Ok so after you are done, you have to make an appointment for a month later - so I guess if you are having problems before that you can call. But all that is happening is I'm peeling - which can be kind of fun, if you like to pick at stuff, which I do. lol I have only minor soreness/sensitivity  - actually started healing during the boosts - just days after direct Tx stopped my nipple was much happier. 

I told my dh that when Rads was over that I was going to stay home everyday just because I could! Well, I was supposed to get my allergy shot today, but I rescheduled it - it was wonderful to stay home all day!! Whew. I am a home body. Though I do like to get out and about as well. Looks like I have to go out tomorrow - rats! Oh well, at least it's not to the clinic - though the place did kind of grow on me.

Welcome Arby. Sandra, sorry you are having some pain and hope the pain doesn't get worse. Brenda 2/3 down yer comin' down the home stretch. I DO hope you heal a bit before starting back to the full Tx.  Joanne, congrats on being half way!! No one likes to hear that their company is having layoffs. I hope you can stay positive and not worry.

Ok this is getting long so before I lose this I'll post and then post my speech.  

Helen, what a wonderful speech!  I hear the warmth and appreciation you feel for all who've been there for you through your journey.  You reached out early on and were surrounded by wonderful support and you chose to celebrate with them all once this journey came to completion.  Bravo!

Thank you for sharing your speech and the story of your party and the 'hang over'.  I can just picture the mess the next day.  <tee hee> I'm one to go to bed and leave it for after I've had a good night's sleep.   Besides, you had a good excuse.  Gotta love the timing of a plumbing hiccup.

Debbie 

Wow Helen...Amazing speech. Your gratitude to God, family and friends is so wonderful. A great reminder of all that CAN be and SHOULD be good about going through this. Thanks for sharing.

I'm doing ok today...it turns out I now have an upper resp infection...so I'm on a zpack - not too uncommon for me this time of year.  This too shall pass. 

I'm treating myself to another spa day this weekend as part of my weekend pampering ritual.

Joanne, I finished day 16 also today - light at the end of the tunnel.

Sandra

Sandra, how are you feeling this morning with that respiratory infection?  Will it get in the way of your rads treatment?  I hope you feel better quickly.  Be sure to get lots of rest. Rads seem easier to me than chemo but they still wear you down.

Debbie 

Hello all,

Yippee---I am having a happy dance day!  I arrived at treatment today to be greeted by a tech that I don't see too often and he congratulated me on being finished---uh ---oops nope not finished, just finished with the boosts, while my skin healed so I could make it thru the last 9 treatments.  And then I got the surprise!  He took me over to the computer and showed me that I have only SIX (6) left!!

Seems the doc that did my tatts and set-up changed the game plan from 28 tx & 5 boosts to higher dose treatments and 25 and 5!!  And nobody told me about it!!  So I'm now seeing this light at the end of the tunnel.  Next Friday I will be done.  And I went back to work and bawled--like an idiot---there must be alot of pent up emotions running amuk inside, while you're facing the world with a strong demeanor! 

Sandra, I hope your respiratory infection is getting better by the second and Helen---stop picking--LOL

Brenda

Hi all! Sandra, sorry to hear you've been sick, hope you feel better soon. Take care of yourself! Did you have to cancel you spa day? Brenda - well I stopped picking...lol....but only because there is nothing left to pick. Tee hee. My tan is fading a bit, skin is leathery - nothing hurts, so that is good.

I've felt more tired this week then I had the whole 6 weeks. At first it was recover from party mode, but by mid week I was thinking this must be a little post rads fatigue. Believe me, I've been more fatigued then this, but just more tired then usual. Bad fatigue is being in bed all day long and maybe having the energy to throw dinner together, then back to bed. I haven't had THAT fatigue in a long time. Well, it used to be that way for months - now it only happens when I really over do it.

When does Layne come back? Joanne, congrats on being half way!! Woo hooo!! Brenda, what awesome news to have 3 less Tx!! Yay!! Debbie, how are you feeling?

Hello Ladies,

I didn't cancel my spa day...I was feeling a bit stronger this morning.  I went to bed very early Friday. I  steamed and had a facial and massage.  The steam really helped loosen up the congestion.  I wanted to do a bit of shopping for my Thanksgiving trip...but I didn't want to overdo it. I"m still pretty tired.  Getting ready to take a nap.

Chat with you later

Sandra

Hi Brenda, Sandra and Joanne!! Nice to see you all here today. Joanne, you are not nuts - fatigue or no fatigue. I'm just glad I'm not having major fatigue, I can deal with moderate fatigue - I'm used to that. Just was worried that I'd be set back to major fatigue like I had 3 years ago - that was a big trial. I'm so blessed to be married to a wonderful guy who provide so well for us. PTL.

Brenda, the only thing that really peeled was my nipple - it was pretty sore for awhile - the rest just seems to be gradually fading.

Sandra, I'm glad you got to go to your spa day. Yay!!

I went to my son's soccer game, then off to shop for a suit for my dd. She needs one for her Speech club. I'm so thrilled that we found something!! She looks really cute in it. And at 50% off!! Woo Hoo. Next it's a shirt and shoes, little by little we'll get there. I think this is the 3rd or 4th time we've been out shopping. Whew!

I also bought a belt - just got a newer pair of jeans but I seem to be between 2 sizes right now - I'd like to keep losing weight - actually I should probably set a goal to stay the same through the holidays, eh?  Anway I went up 2 sizes in the last 3 yrs and now am down 1 or 1 1/2. 

Joanne, what book are you listening to now, the same one? I am reading Great Expectations for our Classic book club. I'm not done, but I read it a couple years ago so I am familiar with it. But there are SO many characters!

Keep glowin'! You gals are gettin' there!!  

Welcome back Senorita Layne,

Glad to hear you enjoyed yourself.  You peeled the same place I did while my regular tx's were interupted for boosts and I didn't go sweating all over Mexico, so I doubt they are going to yell at you---That area under the boob is just thinner skin or something.  And I've found that the best thing to heal it is air---not putting anything on it.  I found that putting ointment on it, makes it like a sore under a band-aid.  Air heals much faster.  Woe to my stepson that walks in my house without knocking--if u get my drift---

And my boosts were located in a spot that was easy to handle---like a vacation---just like nothing was being done, until you realize at the end of them, that the area is a little pink.  So you've really only 4 treatments to go--if you're like me boosts are a walk in the park!

25 down and 5 to go!  I'm on the home stretch!

Brenda

Hello ladies!

Welcome home Layne!  I'm sure you could have easily stayed down in Mexico.  I can just imagine languishing in the warmth with not a care in the world.

We are coming down to the home stretch.  I had a total of 33 treatments scheduled.  I'm down to the 8 boosts.  With the Sunday before Thanksgiving offer, I'll be finished next Tuesday.  I have a massage scheduled following the treatment on my drive home.  Woo hoo!

I'm glad to have been with you girls each step of the way.

Debbie 

Welcome back ((Layne))!!! So glad to you have back with your funny posts and encouragement!! I'm glad you had a nice trip - sounds wonderful. But bummer about the boob issue. That stinks. I'm glad it is healing up, and that you've recovered from bronchitis and no SE from the anti-biotic. Yay!  Layne you are coming down the home stretch, almost there!!

Brenda you crack me up with your "senorita layne". I'm glad to hear that things are going pretty well. You are gettin' there girl!! Woo hoo. Watch out for those airing boobs! lol

Joanne, you are interested in becoming a vegetarian, eh? I have friends who are vegetarians - they read some book - I forget the title - that won them over. I need my protien, don't think I could give up meat. But I do think the meat industry needs some serious reform.  

Debbie, glad to hear you have only 8 left, woo hoo!

I am feeling like I finally have some space in my schedule to take care of things - like frustrating conversations with the insurance company - anyone else having issues? Seems like every day I get mail from my insurance or a bill from my docs that should be paid by insurance. Well, I'll stop whining now and thank the Lord that I have insurance and they they will eventually pay the bills. Hee hee. 

You will all enjoy the extra space in your schedule when this is over. Keep glowin'!!!  

Layne,

I am ordering that tech immediately to a week of sensitivity training !

I had multi-focal disease (more than 1) and some of those were graded 2-3 by 1 of the path depts.  66% of bc tumors are graded 3 which made me feel better.

That is great you have 28 done!  You definitely have the end in sight now.

I was at a meeting today where one of the topics was the layoffs we are having in a couple weeks.  The woman sitting next to me (who doesn't know about my bc) said, "It is like one of us in the room has cancer."  I had a real gulp moment and looked away and said, "yeah." Little does she know I have bc plus maybe the layoff. Hmmmm could I pick the layoff and trade in the bc?

Joanne 

Hello Ladies, I am seeing the finish line.  6 more to go. 

Layne, you're a tough lady but you don't need to make excuses for not shaking off what you heard.  There is no need for that kind of chatter in the treatment facility when a patient is around.  When all is said and done, it is unsettling. 

Joanne, I've been in lay off situations.  I work in hi-tech.  Way back when our company of 33K people was dwindled to below 10k employees overnight.  It was very grim and conjoured lots of analogies. 

Brenda, how lucky for you to have such a caring co-worker.  It is so scary to be coming to the end of treatment.  It is strangely also an incredible relief.  

Bren, I know what you mean about the triggers.  For me it's watching a video or TV broadcast and hearing another woman's story about BC.  The emotions flood in.   Thank you for sharing your story as we move forward.

Be strong ladies.  We do carry the world on our shoulders.

Debbie 

Hi everyone,

I also am in high tech at Verizon.  Only problem is for the past 6 years or so every  6 months or less they RIF some of us and send more of our work to India. It is pretty depressing, but not a good time to be job hunting. I almost switched jobs the month before bc, fortunately I did not.

Today after 21 my chest is starting to ache. I have aloe vera  and hydrocortisone to use. I am looking forward to some days off next week!

I am on arimidex.  Is anyone else going that route?  I really do not like the stuff, but I guess I will try to stay on it for now. It causes hair thinning (just what a post chemo woman needs) and bone pain.

Hump day at any rate !  21/33 done !

Joanne