Stop Smoking Support Thread
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{{{{BAMA}}}} So glad for your news! You can do it and we will cheer you all the way!!
Sweet, you will find rads very doable. For me, I found the fatigue after about 2 weeks to be solved by catnaps. Normally I never nap unless it is of the 2-3 hour variety but I found when I got really tired, I could close my eyes and sleep 15 minutes then I was fine. Also, I am fair skinned and used emu oil 3-4 times a day and did not burn at all.
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Bama great news!
Seaside good luck today on D&C!
Sweet rads is a daily pain but we will get through this too (I have # 7 today).
Yesterday they changed one of my techs in the middle of the treatments; strange they had to do this in the middle of my 4 zaps. Apparently this office wants to make sure that all techs are familiar with all machines so they rotate them every 6 months. I guess it's not much of a problem at least this young lady seems to have a sense of humor, the last person didn't quite understand my nervous tension jokes...
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Seaside, I will find out on the 21st if I can go to one mammo and US a year. The BS and MO have me scheduled so I get a complete breast exam each 3 months. Hope the D&C went well today and that there in nothing to be concerned about. I'm sending calm thoughts to you, and if I have a high blood preasure will mention your doctor's technique, boy did your bp skyrocket, although I've been at 150 once and one time the RO asked me if my heart always beats so fast. No just when it is anything concerning BC.
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Sweet, like kal , the rad treatment each day did get me very tired by the time I was half way through. And I had to be very diligent about using the creams, they switched me to a stronger cream on week 5 as I was getting pretty red. Also had some skin breakdown under that breast. I think you would make a great nurse, you would always know to keep the patient's needs first.
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Bama, such great news, I bet you are relieved that it is over. Definitely the power of prayer here with these great women. It feels comforting to know when you go in for a treament or procedure, you know you are going to come to this site to cheer or to find comfort. And we are all nonsmokers, that attests to how strong a group this is.
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22 days short of 2 years! There are days when I could rip a cigarette out of a passer by's hand. Fortunately that urge passes quickly. Can I now officially say I'm a non-smoker???
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She, you most definitely are a non-smoker. Congratulations!! Love the part of ripping a cigarette out of a smoker's hand. At times I just stare wistfully, but can't imagine lighting one again, hope that continues to be the case.
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(((Seaside))) thinking of you!
She - Woooowhooooo! Happy Almost Anniversary!
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Welcome She!
You most definitely ARE a non-smoker... LOL at your comment about ripping one out of a passer-bys hand. I used to walk really slowly past anyone outside smoking trying to get a bit of second hand smoke. Never thought about ripping it out of their hands or I may have TRIED it.... Too Funny!!
kal_1865,
I had 2 techs for my radiation treatments. One was with me for all 35 treatments and the other one changed every couple of weeks. Never had one switch in the middle of a treatment... glad to hear that you like the new tech better!
karen,
Hope your appointment with your new PCP goes well!
Sweet,
Good luck to you on the first day of RADS!! Thinking of you! Let us know how it goes!
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onetoughwoman47 and BAMA,
Hope you both are continuing to heal up!!
lorrhaw and Lisa65inNY,
How are you both doing?
To All,
Thanks ladies for asking about me!
The D&C went just fine yesterday. They were running right on schedule so didn't have a whole lot of time to get freaked-out which was a good thing!
The procedure was done under a very light anesthesia so you are asleep and remember nothing but, not so deep that you require a breathing tube or anything like that.
Once they got me all set and wheeled me off to the OR my husband said it was only 15 minutes before it was all over and they came out to talk to him. Was in the recovery room for about an hour then moved to another room where my husband could come in. Arrival to departure a little over 2 hours.
They gave me a pain pill before I left (although I was in NO pain what so ever). Was a little loopy and had/still have some spotting but do not hurt at all. Will get my results on Monday but, he did tell my husband they took a look around with a hysteroscope and he is pretty certain it is benign but, only the patholgist can tell for sure so, Monday it is!
Only real restriction is to take it easy for the next couple of days and no heavy lifting for 48 hours.
Glad it's done!
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Seaside praying for good results on Monday, but tech "all clear" sounds really promising!
I've really been thinking about smoking a lot lately...need to get this out of my head but this anxiety from the rads is taking it's toll. The anxiety seems to be standard, even asked other patients waiting for treatment...LOL...well 2 more than the weekend off, can't wait.
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Thanks kal_1865!
I do think that the anxiety is VERY common. Since mine happened only during 1 of the zaps, I counted out how many seconds it lasted and after that would count down in my head how many more seconds to go. That helped. Also do they play music where you go?
They started doing that part way through my treatments and that helped a lot because you could sort of focus on the music!
You will get through this without smoking but, I know what you mean about the stress triggering the desire to do so. Yesterday when I was leaving the hospital, I sure did want one!!
Take it week by week and before you know it, you'll be done! TGIF takes on a WHOLE new level of relief when you are going through this. I found, for me, the last half of my treatments seem to go by sooooo much faster than the first couple of weeks!
Hang in there!!
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Seaside I'll have to ask about the music, so far I haven't heard any but then again i'm afraid i'll start rockin to the tunes...love music, love dancing...thanks for all your kind words, i'll have to try to think of that today instead of getting zapped.0
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Seaside, met my new PCP and really liked her, she was most impressed with the quit smoking and I told her of our site and how well we all work together. MY blood pressure was 144 over92, she asked if it is always high and told her the story of it only being high when my doctor visit was concerning BC idea. She answered all my questions and really was very personable, ordered blood work for thyroid, colesteral (sp?), hypertension, full blood panel. Asked if I had had rads as sometimes that throws the thyroid off. All in all it was a more pleasureable and informative than the old PCP, she asked why I was changing physicians and I was very vocal about the problems there. So, I have a complete team now that I am satisfied with. Great, great news of the the doctor talking to you husband. It sure is looking like a super week for all of us. Sweet, hope the rads appoinment went well, isn't it a short procedure? hugs, Karen
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Bama, congrats. Im so happy for you.
I did my first Rads treatment, and cryed during it.. not sure why, maybe just because I have to do this.
No real recommendations for lotion... can you recommend what you used Jennifer?
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Sweet, I cryed too, it is a scary looking machine, everyone but you gets to leave the room and it is a huge reminder that you have cancer. Three very good reasons to cry. Someone mentioned asking if they could play music for you, even better if they would let you bring in a favorite CD. hugs Karen
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Awwww ((((Sweet))),
I was very emotional in the beginning too. I think some of it, for me, was a bit of fear about the unknown and some of it was I was just so tired of all of it by that point.
It DOES get easier and if it's like where I went you will have the same tech each time and, as hard as it may be to believe now, you may miss them when you are done. I also tried to envision the radiation as rays of healing that were kicking cancer's butt rather than something bad!!
Did you ask about the lotion and they said they had no preference or did no one talk to you about it? The reason I ask is that each doctor seems to have their own preferences.
How they did it at my place was, you had to arrive for your appointment with no deoderant, no lotion because they may contain fragrances, dyes and metals that will interfere with your treatment.
Then when you got home (I did it in the dreesing room before I left) they said to apply Aquafor (available at CVS or any of that type stores) a couple of times a day. Aquafor is kind of gross in that it's the texture of vaseline and every bit as gloppy. It also can stain so I made sure to wear tops that I wouldn't be crushed if it got ruined.
I couldn't wear underwire and eventually any bra at all but, found some really nice camisoles that had a shelf bra built in at, of all places, Target. They were comfy and helped keep the Aquafor where it belonged and away from my clothing. Going bra-less was not an option for me unless I wanted to be tripping over 'em all day...lol
I did wind up with a bit of a prickly, itchy rash and I think the gave me some kind of prescription creme to just take away the itch. Sounds worse than it was.
I think they also had me change my soap but, can't recall to what... I will dig out my info and see if I have it still... Will edit this post with the info.
There is a whole thread here http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/70/topic/663615?page=1#idx_30 that talks about different cremes that may help.
Also here http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/70/topic/663615?page=1#idx_30 which is the thread for the April 2011 rads girls...
Hope that helps!!
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Bama: Congrats!!!! Still praying
Sweet: ((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))) Very emotional day for you.
Jennifer: So glad all went well with D&C. Take it easy...(isn't that what you always tell me)?
(((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))) to all my sisters, you make this so much fun.
I was in Kohl;s the other day and this couple came in and walked by me, they were smokers. EWWWW...I said to my girlfriend..Did we use to smell like that?? So glad I quit and y'all helped me get through it, Thanks!! xoxoxox
Jan
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Jan,
LOL... Yep, that is what I always say! Now I just have to take my own advice!!
I hear you on really being able to smell smoke on people's clothing. After my in-laws left on Monday that was how my whole house smelled! I honestly don't think it smelled that bad when it was ME doing the smoking but, I'm sure it did!
I was really happy yesterday when the anesthesiologist asked if I smoked and I could say No... Even the discharge instructions had a little blurb in there that if you quit smoking for this surgery, please do not start again and listed phone numbers to call for assistance...
Hope you bought something nice at Kohl's. They have the best sales!
Jennifer
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Seaside, was it you who mentioned problems getting an accurate BP? I have read back through the thread and can't find it. Karen
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karen333,
Yep that was me. My blood pressure is typically crazy high in the docotr's appointment, although, before all this new stuff got me all worried it had been behaving somewhat. Usually when I take it at home it's roughly in the ball park of 126/82.
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I thought it was you, mine was 144 over 94, she asked if I was always that high, and I told her only since I was diagnosed. I used to run low before that She ordered a blood work up for hypertension and thought your doctors having you take it at home, maybe something we can do. Those panic attacks are no fun and make your blood pressure go crazy. I wonder how much adrenelin they put in your system.
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karen333,
Those panic attacks not only dump tremendous amounts of adrenalin into your blood stream but, also can make your blood sugar test a bit high. I found that out yesterday from the nurse that got me ready for my D&C. Never knew that.
If you are in the market for a really good home blood pressure machine, the one I have is the ReliOn Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor (similar to this one http://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-reg-Auto-Inflate-Digital-Blood-Pressure-Monitor/5161742 ).
Mine has a memory so it stores up to 60 readings and tells you what your average was. That way before I leave for the doctor's I just go back through the memory, write down my BP along with dates/times and bring my list along to the doctor's office when I go. Very easy!
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Seaside: Glad you are home and all went well. Praying for good news on Monday. I'm doing good. I go tomorrow to get my staples out and hope to talk the doctor into letting me do a few more things.
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Thanks Bama!
Glad to hear that you are doing well!! Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow!
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Thanks for the hugs guys. Karen, yes, there is music playing but I still hear that buzz of radiation going into me. I wonder just how effective radiation is... how much it increases my survival rate...
Jennifer, The Dr has no preference... I have some Jergens extra healing here that I am using, and Im using dove moisturizing soap. Im not one to go braless either, so Im gonna have to wear tanktops under my shirts or something.
How about American Idol tonight? I was shocked, and mad.
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Sweet,
The Idol results were a complete shock tonight! Did you notice that, right when they announced who was going home, they showed Steven and he was definitely saying something (I can only imagine what) but, the audio mysteriously cut out...lol
I will say you do need to be careful what you do use for lotion. Some of them can impact your treatment and actually cause your skin to not hold up real well! Anything with metals in it (like the aluminum in deoderant) or fragrances or dyes... same thing. When you get a chance, check out the links that I posted... They can help you with what to do.
Sending hugs your way and wishing for, as always, the best for you!
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sweet, I know my RO preferred aquphor and pure aloe - no additives or fragrances. Aquaphor is available at Walmart and pure aloe at a health food store. I was totally shocked by AI results, she has such a beautiful voice and such a range, I think it is unreasonable to expect them to sing after hearing the news, it just seems so hurtful. I took anti-anxiety meds for the radiation treatment, the RO was in agreement on that, since it affected me so much. I know it is a worry about the radiation, the strength of it, and it's side effects. I remember hearing that a lumpectomy and radiation give equal protection as a full mastectomy on recurence. Aquaphor is about the same consistency as vaseline, so I wore a teashirt over it when I was home from treatment and again applied it befor going to bed. hugs, Karen. you are in my thoughts and prayers
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Seaside, I didn't know about it affecting blood sugar level, on my last lab work at the old PCP, he mentioned that my blood sugar level was high but gave no reason for it. He acted like it was my fault it was high. Another reason I am glad I kicked him to the curb! Thanks for the info on the blood preasure cuff, I think that's the only way I will get an accurate reading.
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{{{SEASIDE}}} Hugs for you.
Sweet, I used emu oil 3-4x/day and even though I am fair, I did not burn at all. My RO was amazed and now recommends it to his patients.
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