sta1129

Wndalina - I just hit 39 and finished my rads 2 mos ago. I started Tamox. on September 1, and so far so good. Some aches but generally good. I had a terrible time starting because I was so anxious about side effects, but I'm taking it one day at a time. And I DID warn my staff, just in case. 

I saw a number of people this week that I hadn't seen in some time. Some knew, some didn't, many questions. I found myself struggling with what verb to use - now that I am done with radiation, what do I say? I have cancer? I had cancer? I'm in or I'm done with treatment (even though I'm on tamoxifen)? I'm curious about other's thought process on this. 

Thanks all. 

I'm asking my radiation doc since I already have an appt scheduled with him. Amber, I also have some dark hair follicles, so I'll ask about that as well. I started noticing them at the end of radiation, and asked someone on my way out the door. They said it was normal and would go away. Some have, some haven't. I hadn't thought about the dye.

Since you're a nurse, let me brag about my nurse and the SNB dye. It was her first day back after breast cancer treatment, and I went in really anxious about the pain of the nipple shots. I had been with a friend when she had her shots, and I could not believe the pain she had. My nurse came in first thing and told me about her experience (also painful) and said it was because the radiation people insisted on putting on the numbing stuff and then didn't give it the full hour to take affect. She pulled out the cream and said that if I was with her we would put it on right then and see if being fully numbed when I went up decreased the pain. She was a genius. I have gone back and thanked her, and passed on the advice to others when they tell me they are going in for surgery. I refer to her as a saint. 

Thanks to all! I am already on a mild anti-dep - my gp started me when I went to his office right after diagnosis. It has generally been very helpful - looking at the bottle the other day was just too much.

I started the tamoxifen last night - thanks kosh. 1 pill down. I'll do it again tonight, and that'll be two. And, like everything else, remind myself that this is what I do to increase my chances of watching my nieces grow up. 

Thanks - today is a new day, and I just need to remember to take this day by day. I haven't melted down much, but last night was a bad moment.

Maybe I've been putting off the emotional impact of this or underestimating it, but the tamoxifen came in the mail today and I am losing it. LOSING IT.

I just sat down to read the little insert - should be no big deal, I've read everything I can here and off the boards. I know the complaints, SEs, etc.  But after about a paragraph or two on the sheet with my name on it, my eyes teared up and then I had to stop. I'm hitting the grief wall all over again. I'm only 39, not married, not currently in a relationship, and feel like so many things are just done the minute I take the first pill. And I'm worried about putting back on weight I lost before diagnosis. And I'm worried about turning into a total b**** from lack of sleep and mood swings and being more alone than I am. And I can't stop crying.

and .... This Sucks. But you all know that. I'm thankful that you do and for this place to vent.

I have been using since #1 a prescription gel called Radiaplex, applied in the a.m., after treatment, and before bed to the whole treatment area. When I started to get irritations, they directed me to the domeboro, then hydrocortisone ointment (both are over the counter), and now the allenderm prescription ointment.

It sounds like mine are the same spots - under my breasts and under my arm. The nurse said these are common areas, and a member of a board I'm on told me his wife had the same thing at about the same time we are at (she had and I will have 35 total) - about 2/3 of the way through. I guess how much reaction is just individual, but it was helpful to me to know that I'm not some random anomoly that may never heal. If others did, I will eventually and so will you.

Is biafine over the counter?  SInce you are just starting to get irritated in the same spots, I will think healing thoughts, images and words for you as I'm doing for me.

 Peace

I am now officially on break from radiation because my skin is too raw. I have yet another medicine to apply, but am wondering if any of you out there have something specifically that aided your healing or discomfort. Suggestions?

I'm a single woman, halfway through radiation, and my core group of friends now live 2+ hours away. I've found myself frustrated and sad over the last 2 weeks as, now that people all assume everything is ok, cards, calls, and contact has dropped off. Except that now I'm tired and burned and sore and feel very alone and find myself dabbling in the pond of self pity. So, I'm wondering, where do you tell your story? Do you simply call people and say 'look, I need you to listen'? Do support groups help or not, since they aren't people who know and love you? They have offered for me to come to their places for dinner or get together - but the 5 hours round trip at night when I'm tired doesn't sound real appealing. Am I just getting whiny?

I picked up my post-surgical path report today and the Her2 results from Mayo were there. The doctor had warned me that they were confusing and would require further conversation with the oncologist, and he was right. Basically it says that the ratio is 2.5 and that falls within their positive range, but that in their opinion "this result may not reflect true HER2 amplification." (it was FISH by the way)

So how helpful is that? The ratio is positive but the doctor doesn't think so? 

Any thoughts, other than the second opinion I see coming...