November rad girls check in here!!

Congrats to all who have finished or who are on their last week of boosts!

I had my last one on Wednesday, and after I did my happy dance I had a good cry.  I'm thrilled to be finished, but anxious that I'm "on my own" now, so to speak.  I'm sure you all know what I mean.

So here's a question for you all:  are you going to make any changes or have you made any changes to your lifestyle?  A change in diet or exercise or anything like that?  I ask because I feel that I was a pretty healthy person before all this happened (you know, everything in moderation and all that good stuff), but now I'm wondering if there's anything I can do apart from the tamoxifen to keep this middle-aged body healthy and resistant to any recurrence.  Maybe this isn't the right place to open this discussion--maybe I should start a new thread...

Anyhow, yippppeeee for us all nearing the end of this phase!!!  And thanks to you all for being there!

Lisa

Hi Ladies:

I haven't been on in a while but I think about you all each and every day. 

I had treatment number 24 on Friday and will have my last treatment Monday at 9:45.  I'm so excited but nervouse at the same time.  I'm excited that I'm thtough but nervous as to what will happen next.  I guess as they say, "Go with the flow and do all you can."

I have had some problems with the radiation - the burned the sore breast, the painful nipple and the tanned breast vs. the normal breast.  But all in all, this site and talking with you guys has help tremendously because I knew what I could expect to happen and know that it "normal"  and not "made up." 

I hope you all complete your radiation soon and have no further problems

Leesa from Abilene Texas AKA Dink

Let the countdown begin:  Only 9 visits left!

I've been fortunate not to have too much tissue distress, but I'm praying the last treatments won't change that.  I'm doing what I can to keep the skin as healthy as it can be.  I'm sure glad I don't have to contend with weather issues.  Sorry for those of you that do.  A friend made me some yummy potato cheese soup.  Just right for a cold Sunday afternoon.  Here's wishing all a good week.  Ruth

Great! High five to ya Clessie!!

Wonderful news Clessie!!!  I'll bet you are glad you did it though.  I know I am .

Dink Congrats to you too and I can certainly understand those feelings.  I had #16 today and am already thinking of after that is over. 

 I have a triangular tan myself but no burns to speak of yet.  Is it too early in the treatment or should I just go with it.  Am a little sore but again, nothing terribly horrid.  Gosh, all my worrying over nothing maybe?  AGAIN??!!!

The only thing I notice with me is rad brain.  Im foggy, forgetful and fatigued.  I can forget what Im looking for if I walk away from something.  I remind myself of my mom when she was going thru menopause and now shes still forgetting and is 72.  Im thinking, "oh no Im not going to be like her am I?"    My poor mom was diagnosed with diabetes this year and she wont take medicine so she is really super brain foggy and she weighs under 100 pounds now.  She has a new Dr that she will see in January when insurance kicks in.  I have to give her credit that she has several books on diabetes and she says she just about has the eating system worked out.  But, I still think she is going to get medicine anyway whether she likes it or not, although I didnt care for her previous Dr either.

This is the time of year to be thankful, and looking back I do have alot to be thankful for even though this year threw me with several loops:  got bumped on the freeway early in the year (not too bad), brother has a girlfriend that is using his money up and several friends and family members thinks hes on drugs and he had a brain injury from a car wreck back in 03 (oh well, its his life and I only take charge of mine and I have finally accepted that), my mom, my dog is 14 and is moderately arthritic (but otherwise the spunky spirit remains), my cancer diagnosis and goings thru starting late September.  Id say lessons learned this year in firm but gentle reminders.  I already knew of them but it sure verifies things I suspected I should know and try harder to overcome some ways that I am. 

This is a great place to vent, and a great place to celebrate.  I enjoy all of it.

Congratulations Clessie and Dink!

I am joining you in the happy dance as today was my last treatment. I got the certificate and was told to return in a month. I really cracked up when I read the certificate. It said that I CHEERFULLY showed up for appointments. I had to be one of the grumpiest patients they ever had. The doc explained to me that the radiation would continue to kill the DNA of cells for about six weeks. He also said that sometimes patients continue to get redder and the burns will show up late. Unusual. Mine have already begun to heal quite well. the boosts were a breeze. They shouldn't use that term. It makes one think that they are stronger and will hurt more.

Glad this step on the treatment journey is done. Thank you all for your support. Wouldn't have been possible without you.

Will continue to check in until all are finished.

Happy dance for Sedosa!  Another one done! 

I finished the regular zaps today - tomorrow begins the boosts...hard to believe 25 tx come and gone.

The nurse gave me some stuff to use on my breasts - a powder to mix with water (Dermoboro), and some cooling gel patches (Carradras). I'll see how they work.  she said the redness and burning can go on for a bit longer. If these don't work, I'll see about lidocaine. 

Nevaeh, talk to your doctor about your depression.I was depressed shortly after starting rads. My doctor put me on a low dose of welbutrin and it has made a big difference.I know how it feels when everyone around you acts as if all is fine,and all you want to do is curl up in a ball and cry.Rad tx is so hard on your mind and body, people just don't get it.

Good luck and warm hugs,

    Terry
p .s. Try to get some rest, its so hard this time of year.

dear nevaeh, Boy can I identify with the emotions you've expressed.  And I do leave the house with my dog rather than verbalize how raunchy I'm feeling.  cause we really do need an escape especially if we aren't being validated.  I'm grinning at your hubby's wanting to keep things normal.  its so sweet.  But you keep telling us how your heart feels so you get to just say it and be heard here.  I'll be praying for you and your family that the holidays are refreshing and NOT stressing.  treat yourself to some quiet music and a nap if the pain isn't too bad.  I slipped out to our high school music concert alone last night cause I knew the music would tranform  me.  didn't care that I was late getting there or in my grubbies.  I just soaked in the songs and the setting.  Nothing like a dark auditorium with white Christmas lights on stage.  I didn't have to smile,(but I could) and I didn't have to mask the tears.  Just know you are loved and cared for by a heavenly Father and all your sisters here.  love, arby 

Hi all,



Kelly I agree with you. Rads were much more difficult for me than chemo or surgery both physically and emotionally. I don;t know if it is because I am just so tired of treatments. I agree about the no clothing. The siivadene cream really did help the healing, not the pain.I do know that the burns are healing. I am still quite fatigued. Hope that gets better before I return to work.



Neveah. I was the grumpiest patient ever. Antidepressants help, but I believe there is a point during the course of treatment. Lidocaine is a local anesthetic. It can be a shot or a cream in this case. Take care of yourself.



Hugs to all,

Steffi

Congrats, arby, on finishing!

neveah - please don't worry about getting hooked on anti-depressants. If you think it will be a short-term thing, discuss the various types...some are much, much harder to get off of than others.  They will take at least a week to help, but they will help.

arby- the pain. I had shooting pains last night under my arm, and my nipple is so dry & sensitive & it just plain hurts.  The gel pads haven't helped much, the burroughs solution has been better. The rad onc today suggested 3 Motrin, 3 times/day. If it gets really bad, he'll prescribe something, but he's pretty certain this will do the job.  I hope so, I woke up every time I turned over.  

There really needs to be more written about the physical and emotional SE of rads. The fatigue and associated fog/brain as cotton feeling. The depression. Why it all seems to hit at once. 

My daughter was in tears last night before dinner. She didn't feel good.  We're all supposed to fall over and sympathise with her - so what do I do?  I'm all 'well, fine. like I get to be sick and be taken care of.' I'm not a malingerer, but sometimes it would be nice to have everyone take care of everything for me.

Big music concert tonight at the high school. We'll get #1 daughter there to play, and then I will take arby's advice & let the music flow over me.

take care, all.

I just want to wish every one a Merry Christmas and the most blessed of holidays.  Of whatever faith, I send you my most sincerest best wishes for good health, happiness and healing.

Congrats garnetann on being strong and facing what you must and perserving through to the finish!

Steffi and Kelly, I can't speak about chemo - I didn't have to undergo that and I feel blessed for the repreive; but gotta tell you I really don't like these rads. 

What really gets me is the fact it doesn't seem like when you're there it's doing anything (good or bad) but at the same time it's doing good and bad things to your body, mind and soul.  Unlike surgery, you can't see a scar to know for sure that the "C" beast has been cut out--you just have to trust in the science.  What you do get is the bad side of stuff that makes you feel so yukky it must be working cuz otherwise---we'll I can't bear the thought it's in vain.

Anyway, off for milk and cookies (my hubby baked me some chocolate chip cookies last night [no, you can't have him - he's all mine])

With you in thought and prayer, 

It feels good for us all to be getting done.  I completed my final 34th session today!  I still cannot believe that it is done, but my armpit will be very happy,  It is very sore and quite raw.  The nurse gave me some "gel sheets" to place over my burn.  They are about 3x3inch squares with one side covered with aloe.  They are heaven for me.  I put them on at night and they eliminate the friction pain. I try to let the burn air out during the day.  If you need them, I would definitely ask your doctor/nurse if they have any. 

  Hope everyone has a great Christmas and holiday season...

Linda  

How fun is this?!  I've been reading this thread--and occasionally posting--since the beginning.  Just checked in to see what's happening after awhile away, and everybody is either finished or in the home stretch!

Best of luck to all of you, and congrats on your progress!  Time to switch to the hormone therapy threads for some of you.  Hopefully you'll be writing to report smooth sailing with no SEs.

Take care, ladies, and Happy Holidays!

Lynn