Class of 2009 - Sisters in the same time frame
Comments
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Renee,
My tumor was in the upper outer quadrant and I thought that was where the radiation would target. Maybe it mostly did but... I tanned in a rectangle all the way up to my collar bone and all the way to a midline on my sternum. I itched the most on the top half of my breast but blistered in the fold under my breast, some over toward the axilla too. So I think the rads go everywhere!
I did not try emu oil but have read here that it is good. Good luck. It will go by fast.
pam
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Thanks Renee and Pam for keeping us informed. I am a red head and very light skinned, so I am worried about blistering and burning. I am not really big breasted, but as I have gotten older, I do have the fold under my breast. I guess that can not be helped.
Juannelle
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Even though I know I will not be able to stay off this site tomorrow... thought I would wish everyone a healthy 2010 now. We have all learned that basic lesson, money - fame - power - none of them can buy good health for us. We are blessed to live in a modern country with advanced medical facilities. I pray we all have access to good doctors and state of the art hospitals. Wishing us all a good year! Thanks to everyone for being here.
pam
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I agree, I wish everyone that the worst day they have in 2010 is like the best day they had in 2009. I love all you guys and you have helped me so much to get through this year. Your understanding, compassion and big hearts will carry me through the next year. We want a cure and we want it now.
Juannelle
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Pam - Once again thanks for the information on how the radiation affected you. So far still a little red, but I am also wondering if that isn't some of the Indian I have in me. We tend to have ruddy complexions when we tan? I also have a little a redness under my breast but not bad and it is usually gone in the morn when I get up.
To Everyone else I am sure I will be on tomorrow, but here's to a healthy and happy 2010!!
Renee
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Edited to redact a post with personal information.
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Hi Groundhog,
Welcome, and we love our lurkers too
We're here to support each other!
pam
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Welcome Groundhog, glad to have you...Post or not we will be here for you.
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I just made the 2009 class. I was DXed by biopsy on 12/28. I really like reading everyone's experiences as it gives me an idea on what to expect. I have a Drs. appt. next Monday and hopefully I'll find out more about what is going to be happening to me. I need to get clarity on size since the mammogram and ultrasound give 2 different sizes of my tumor.
I assume I, at least, will get a lumpectomy and radiation but I'm just guessing. I don't have any clue if it has spread but since it is grade 1 I'm hoping not.
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Dear One-L,
I too am very fair so expected to burn but I've finished 20 and only a little pink. I have a slight rash near the clavice but was told that's where many woman have problems. I only had the sentinel nodes removed so they are doing the area under my arm as well as the breast. It's really not bad. Today, howver, it's snowing so I hope i'll have no problems driving.
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Groundhog and Mickie513: I have learned so much from the people here--alot just from reading. I didn't post for a while. Let us know what you need--we're here for you. TCK0
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Hello all~
Welcome to the newcomers Mickie and Groundhog. I am sorry you have to be here, but know that we are all here for you and will help you thru this. There are amazing women on here!
Well, I rescheduled my mammo to Jan 18th. I was originally supposed to go in on Monday 1/4. I saw my rad onc yesterday and he took one look at me and told me I didn't have lymphedema in my breast, that what I am experiencing is just post radiation/surgery pain and swelling. But, he did advise me to move my mammo since I am so uncomfortable. Also, he told me to take 3 Advil a day, one with each meal to help with the swelling and pain. I go back to see him in a week and he will re-assess me then. So, I guess all this worrying about lymphedema for nothing. I feel like the boy that cried wolf sometimes. I freak out at every little pain and discomfort, and I feel like such a baby for doing so.
Renee- I have some Indian in me too, and after a month and a half since my last treatment I still have a little tan color where I was treated.
Thank you all for being here! I couldn't have made it thru this without all of you! I wish you all a very happy New Year and hope 2010 brings you all peace and happiness.
Hugs
Jen
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Jen - Hooray! So glad is it just SE's from radiation. ALL OF US worry about this kind of stuff. We are playing for keeps here, so the little things mean a LOT, you know? An early New Year's toast to your good news..... XO, Mary0
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Welcoem Mikey...
Happy and safe New Years to all..
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Here I'm joining at the end of the year. BMX on 12/15, today the doc took the second of 3 drains out. hallelujah! My sleeping is down to about 12 hours/day, which is good, and if the worst thing I'm feeling is the nerve sensation in the backs of my arms, I'm doing well, I guess. Next week I'll learn if I need chemo, and I don't know what to hope for: Yes, it would help, or NO, it won't help.
Ten years ago at New Years I had just finished my chemo and radiation, and thought I was "all better". Didn't believe in the fatigue after radiation they had predicted. This time I am much less superwoman and more, "yep, I'm probably average for this journey". And in gratitude, knowing that if I am doing average-ly well, that's pretty good.
Thanks for being here. Kit
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Welcome Kit, hate that you have to be here...but we are your sisters in Cancer.
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Welcome to the new sisters. Sorry you are here ~ but glad you have found us.
Feeling pretty crappy since my first Taxol treatment Monday.
Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy and HEALTHY 2010 !!!
Hugs ~
Alicia
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Welcome Kit I am sorry you had to join us here! It really stinks being cancer free that long and having a recurrence. I know I was cancer free for 27 yrs (previously had Hodgkins Disease) and then dx with BC this Oct.
To any of the other newbies I may have missed Welcome to you as well.
Alicia - I'm sorry you are not feeling well with your Taxol.. I hope it passes soon.
Michele - I hope you are feeling good.
Juanelle - I hope you are having a good weekend.
To Everyone else... Happy New Year!!! I gladly welcome in 2010 and wish all my sisters a healthy and cancer free new: as those of you getting started work toward completing your journey and those of us nearing the end of our txts are finishing up. May 2010 be everything positive and enduring that does not involve and signs or symptoms of cancer for each and every one of us!! May God watch over all of us and keep us in his care in the coming year.
Many Thanks for all that you have done to lift me up in my journey with Breast Cancer and all that you continue to do on a daily basis.
Renee
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I am another one joining the class of 2009. Just found this site yesterday and I knew I had to come back today. I have read some of the posts and feel this will be a very helpful and supportive place for me. Had a mastectomy on 12/1/09 and starting Femara tomorrow. I am a little anxious about it, but I have to take 1 step at a time.Hopefully, SE's will be mild and can cope. I will return and keep everyone posted. Happy New Year!
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I am another one joining the class of 2009. Just found this site yesterday and I knew I had to come back today. I have read some of the posts and feel this will be a very helpful and supportive place for me. Had a mastectomy on 12/1/09 and starting Femara tomorrow. I am a little anxious about it, but I have to take 1 step at a time.Hopefully, SE's will be mild and can cope. I will return and keep everyone posted. Happy New Year!
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Ooops! Wanted to make sure you all got my message in 09 and kept hitting that button. Oh well.
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Good evening all you wonderful ladies and welcome to all the newbies.
I went to Med Onc today and I only have to go in for a blood test next week, then I don't see her for another month, woohoo. I really will not know what to do.
I do have a question and I forgot to ask the Med Onc today. I had a full set of mammos in 2008, then I had to go for a follow up in July 09 and that is when they found my bc in my right breast. So now it has been a year since I have had a mammo on my left breast, should I call my doctor and try to schedule a mammo for my left breast. It only took six months for the first cancer to develope and I certainly don't want to go through it with my left. Now I did have a full body PET scan, I think in October, so I was just wondering what others did.
Happy New Year to everyone, party hardy, for tomorrow brings a new year and we want a cure.
Juannelle
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jburke1 crying wolf beats what I do, ignore things. My very first mammogram at 48 showed the BC. I go back for a second, I'm not concerned. Then the biopsy... well 80% of biopsy's are benign. Boy was I shocked to find it was malignant. I'm still looking for a good outcome even though I haven't had surgery yet.
I am reading the boards so I guess that is something.
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Chris, welcome to the group...glad you found us. Sorry that you had to find us...This is a wonderful group of supportive ladies. Good luck with your treatment today...I have never heard of Femara. Is it a drug you take at home, or do you go in for this?
Mickey, on e thing I have learned, through all this cancer crap...is that you have to face it head on...take the bull by the horns and look it in the eyes...You need to be in control.
Listen to me and all my wisdom..it must be a new year.
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Edited to redact a post with personal information.
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Hi Pam,
I see you posted in July 2009. How did things go for you? I am curious as you are asking the very same things I'm starting to wonder about. I was diagnosed in late December and my surgery (lumpectomy and node removal) is set for Friday, Jan 8th. I am wondering how and when they start radiation afterwards and then...what comes next? What about scans and blood tests for other cancers lurking somewhere etc etc.
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Hi Linda,
Life is settling down and getting back to normal at last. I was dx'd in February and had a lumpectomy with SNB in late February. Radiation stared in late April, all of May and half of June; 28 regular and 8 boosts. In my initial work up a spot showed up in one of my lungs so I had a lung CT scan in May and again in October. The scans were inconclusive so I had a PET scan in December which came back clear. I would not have had any of those scans had it not been for the odd lung business. By mid June I was under the care of my medical oncologist and started Arimidex. I saw her in June and October and am due to see her again in a couple weeks. She does tumor markers (CA 15-3) and blood work each visit. I have seen the radiologist twice since rads ended and had a mammogram 3 months post radiation. Will have another 6 months after that one.
Wow... a lot of doctor visits!
I am under the impression that radiation should begin 6-8 weeks after surgery. I got in that window just barely.
I found the day of surgery difficult as no one spelled out preliminary procedures. Post op was easy but I did get an infection that scared me but in the end caused no big trouble. For me,,, radiation was very stressful, mentally more than physically. But I have had no bad lingering affect. Arimidex has had predictable side effects which are manageable.
I think the PET scan gave me a lot of comfort but it is not usually done. That's too bad as the mental battle is a harder one than the physical one.
My laptop is running low on power.. if there is anything else I can tell you let me know.
Good luck as you embark on this journey.
pam
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Micheleboots-Femara is an AI and it is taken orally. It's just a little pill. Apparently many women have had success, but like all TXs there are SEs and that's what is worrisome. This is the part of the journey that has me in a bit of an anxious state because I don't know how I'll respond to it. Everyone goes through this so I know I have company. Just have to take it one day at a time.0
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Hi Pam,
Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. My goodness...you've really gone through a lot since February, haven't you? Is Arimidex a form of chemo therapy? Everyone talks about so many different drugs and I rarely even take aspirin. I suppose I'm going to learn an awful lot...real soon! I'm glad you didn't have anything serious in your lungs...phew!
I have been feeling "un-well" for about a year or longer. My energy is absolutely zero it seems and I've developed a real slow way of walking as it seems to hurt when I walk. I am 58 years old and still work full time. I don't smoke/drugs etc and have a hard time accepting how "old" I seem to be getting. I am wondering if it is somehow connected to the breast cancer...what do you think? Was your energy level real low before you were diagnosed?
I had an MRI which showed no signs of lymph involvement or other concerns...but I think a PET scan is more detailed? I sure hope I can get one of those. I see you live in Florida? I live in British Columbia in Canada. The medical system is quite good here (despite the rumors you might hear!) :-) and so I've been given booklets and things about BC so that I'm quite prepared for the surgery....but it's hard not to be afraid. Thanks for listening, Pam...keep me posted and I will do the same...
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Welcome Chris and Groundhog (and I think there was one other newcomer so welcome to you too and my apologies but I've beena way and there are a lot of new posts)! Sorry that you must join us but the good news is: now you have us
Jen -- so great that it isn't lymphedema! Hope you feel better soon!
Cheers,
Lilah
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