Anyone start rads in October?

joanne_elizabeth · January 2008

Happy New Year to all !

I still can't quite believe that I don't have to rush to radiation in the am or go to chemo in a week or any other seemingly awful treatment.

I have hair which I now wear with a baseball cap. It is very gray compared to what it used to be and very, very short, but hair it is! I'll take it.

Helen, hope your dh gets a job soon. That can be stressful.

They do sell partial silcone ?don't know what you call them, partial boobs, if you have had lumpectomies. Don't know much about them, but have seen them in catalogs with other post bc stuff. I am not thrilled with how I look but try to remember the bottom line, if I don't get a recurrence I will take that.

I actually put on eyeliner now and wore mascara for the first time in years last night. I am making an attempt to look like a female again! I think that is progress.

Here is to a healthy which will translate into happy 2008.

Joanne

Helenhsm · January 2008

Nice to hear from you Joanne - glad you are feeling better and putting on some make up. What did you do as far as reconstruction? I don't think I will make any changes, I don't mind the dent and am adjusting to the size issue - which isn't a huge one.

My other sister found out this week that she doesn't have the BRCA2 gene. I hope to get similar news. I should hear this coming week.

Happy New Year to you, and a healthy one.

joanne_elizabeth · January 2008

Helen,

Glad to hear your sister had good news.

I haven't decided anything about reconstrucion except to do nothing for now. More surgeries involving parts of my back or stomach muscles don't sound too appealing right now. I have heard the silcone and saline implants are not an option after rads. Also it seems that they never seem to look too good from what I have heard.

Happy 2008 to you as well.

Joanne

Helenhsm · January 2008

Hi Joanne, I can hear ya about the not wanting to have more surgeries! I hope you find what works for best for you.

I found out my BRCA test results. I do have the genetic mutation. Frown The good news is that knowledge is power and I can do things to prevent disease. I will be looking into having my ovaries removed. I am doing ok with the news. A small part of my wants to moan and groan, the bigger part of me believes that God has allowed this for a reason and will work it for my good. It is possible that I will be able to save myself from a future cancer. Which is amazing if you think about it. Everyone has predispositions to one thing or another, I am blessed that I can find out and DO something about it.

I started Tamox. last week - we'll see if any SEs will show up. How are you feeling on the Tamox, Layne? I hope you are all doing well.

Hugs,

joanne_elizabeth · January 2008

Hi Helen,

Sorry to hear your news. Forgive my ignorance, but what does having the mutation mean? I guess an increase chance of more bc?

I am supposed to get counseled about this in a couple weeks, not sure if I will get it done.

Rads is starting to feel like a long time ago except if I look in the mirror and see my darkened skin! I guess I will always have some tightness on that side though between the surgery and rads!

Happy, HEALTHY 2008 !

Joanne

Helenhsm · January 2008

Hi Joanne, that's a good question. A mutation is a change in the DNA (genetic) code. My results say "deletarious mutation." Dontcha love these terms? So instead of what the code is supposed to say, there is a change or abnormality, I guess. Yes, this puts me at a significant increase risk for breast and ovarian cancer. They recommend having the ovaries out and having an MRI and Mammogram every year to monitor the breast.

Yes radiation does seem like awhile ago now. Around 2 months for me. My skin is still darker as well, though it keeps getting lighter. Perhaps if you keep massaging it may help the tightness?

Joanne, when is your next follow up visit? Are you taking any drugs now?

Helenhsm · January 2008

((Layne)) my life didn't feel complete until I told you about my BRCA results. I had forgotten that you were away at the training. You've been very busy. Whew, sounds intense. I'm so glad to hear that your tiredness has left. Yay!

Thanks so much for stopping by. It is really great to hear from you. ((Hugs))

joanne_elizabeth · January 2008

Hi Helen,

What is the next step for you?

I am scheduled to go to a genetic counselor in Feb. Doesn't this increase the risk of prostate cancer for sons if you have this gene? That would be one of the reasons I would want to know.

I am on aromasin, was on arimidex but switched. The SEs are not fun - my knees feel like I am 150 yrs old esp. going down stairs.

Layne hope your training is going smoothly. I would love to get training in something too, but I don't know that my head is in the right place to undertake something too challenging yet! Faking it through work sometimes is enough of a challenge.

I started a bc support group. Have any of you done this?

Where or where is January going?

I had a folow up with rad onc yesterday - nothing really - looked and felt and that was it. I did not like hearing the rad machine though. He asked what my plans were in 2008 and I told him hopefully to stay out of that surgi-center! I am to see the surgeon also soon and the rad onc in March.

Joanne

Helenhsm · January 2008

Hi Joanne and Layne, so nice to see you here today. Smile

Joanne, I haven't been told about prostate cancer for boys - that didn't come up in my meeting with the genetics counselor. My dd will need to be checked when she is an adult. Unfortunately, my dh's mom had breast cancer - so she may have it from both sides.

Next steps I will talk to my Gyn to see what she recommends and my Onc. and see what he recommends. Will then probably talk to some surgeons about having my ovaries removed. Then they want me to have a breast mri once a year and 6 months later a mammogram, to moniter the breast.

Layne, what line of work do you do? Joanne you work for a big phone company, right? Are you a manager or what?

Layne I'm glad to hear that you aren't noticing any SE's from the Tamox. Joanne, bummer about your knees. My follow up rads appt was the same, take a quick look, you're fine - away you go.

I had my mammogram today on my one breast. The person took the mammos, came back said the Dr. wanted one more, and then left again. A small fear began to rise in me about the 2nd picture. But she came back and said everything looks FINE! They gave me a mini rose, I made an appointment for 6 months and I was on my way. Yay! I thought that was sweet - they give all the women a flower when they leave. I like that touch.

Layne, good that you are stretching so you don't get tight. Joanne, I've never joined a bc support group. I don't really feel the need. I've got you guys, a very supportive husband and friends - so that is okay for me. I've been in other types of support groups that have helped in the past. Great that you are taking care of yourself.

Yes, January is going pretty fast for me, too. Keep in touch. ((Hugs))

joanne_elizabeth · January 2008

Hi everyone,

Hope everyone is doing well!

I saw my rad onc and surgeon this week. The surgeon said to come back in a year, I am still in shock, after I get my next 2 mammograms. They are watching 2 what they think are benign growths in my remaining breast. Why do I get the feeling that is headed for the chopping block as well?

Layne keep up the stretching. I do stretching a couple times a week. I had probably more extensive surgery, but the area is still tight and may always be tight.

Helen, you must have freaked when they wanted more views. The really bad thing is every view is more radiation which of course can promote cancer. Sometimes you wonder.

The bc support group is okay, but now we have a male co-chair. I hate to sound sexist, but I can't picture talking about my body image and sexual side effects with a guy there.

Some days I still can't believe I don't have to race to rads and I am soooo grateful.

Helen,let us know what the ob recommends. Is this a regular ob or an onc ob?

Joanne

PS TGIF !

Helenhsm · January 2008

Hi Joanne, nice to hear from you. Wow what great news to hear 'see you in a year!' Yay! Now, don't be talking about a chopping block ((Joanne)).

I didn't freak, but my mind started thinking, woah, what if I had to do all this again, that would really suck. lol I sure love those words 'everything looks good' I appreciate them now more than ever. Whew.

Hmm a Male breast cancer co-chair? I don't think so! What is the deal with that? Ask him if he would open up about prostate cancer with a group of women? That is really strange. Maybe tell the other leader that you are uncomfortable with a man there? I don't think it's sexist. Some topics are not suitable to mixed company.

I am going to my regular Gyn. - was supposed to go tomorrow, but they called and cancelled the appointment due to whatever the holiday is Monday. I don't pay attention to those, but whatever. I have to resched. now. I will talk to my Onc. a week from Tuesday. I'm sure he'll have recommendations for me. He was the one pushing for me to have the genetic testing. So I'll let you know what he says and hopefully I'll be able to get in to see the Gyne soon. Thanks for asking. It really helps to talk to you gals, I SO appreciate your support and understanding.

I'd love to see a picture of you Joanne and Layne if you have one. I can send you a PM w/my email address. We could also keep talking via email as anyone the WWW can read our posts here.

((Hugs))

Anyone start rads in October?

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