Class of 2009 - Sisters in the same time frame
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Hi Everyone!
I am in a great mood... my mammogram went well. This time they only did the op'd side so it was 50% less time, discomfort and radiation. The same radiologist read the films (I always like that) and said no changes. Don't know when I'll do it again... I am trying to avoid seeing my rad onc and he has been the one to order them so far. After I left I stopped at Ross looking for dressy silver shoes for an upcoming wedding... no shoes but I bought a really cute black dress as a mammogram reward :-) So a good day! Now I have to clean house :-(
Sherri, it says more about what a nice person you are... that your co-workers are doing that for you. I felt (still feel) like a wimp because I found radiation so stressful. Some days I would be shaking so much the therapists would have to wait for me to get a grip. It didn't hurt, I wasn't really afraid... it was just something I could not control. The skin irritation that finally came to pass was tangible, something I could physically see and deal with. But the anxiety was uncontrollable. For all of you who suffered through chemo and are rolling your eyes right now (justifiably) - I know I am embarrassed to admit what a wuss I was.
Husbands are great and my DH came with me to every one of rads. But it probably added 2% to my anxiety knowing he was waiting with nothing to do. He never complained but I know how he hates to wait on anything. Fortunately (?) he is a talker so if he could find someone to talk to he was happier. My facility (a hospital) was not able to run a tight schedule so sometimes I was there 30 minutes and sometimes it was two hours or more. A couple times I sent him home and said I would call him to come and get me. Good thing we do not live as far a Juanelle had to travel!
Well, off to housework. Beautiful sunny cool day so I would rather be outside but...
pam
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Pam, the first time I went to rads I shook the whole time...it was a combination of fear and the freezing temp in the room...I still get a little freaked out..just thinking of what I am doing I guess.
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pj12345-I had both chemo and radiation, and by far the radiation was the worse for me ! I could not stop shaking and my breathing was shallow and rapid. The techs were very annoyed. I finally need to take meds, after having a panic attack at one session.
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mabels,
Thanks for your supportive words. Are you new to BC.org? Such a great resource and to know we are not alone is priceless. It's kind of like when I started to get nervous about upcoming childbirth.... I got a lot of comfort from realizing ALL those other mothers did it so I could too!
Hope everyone is doing well today. I am still wondering about magob.
pam
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Pam: Congratulations on the mammo report! RE: rads: everyone's experiences are so different, no matter what the treatment, we realize there is no JUST anything...it's all traumatizing and life-altering. We are different and yet so alike and we all just want to be okay.
Sugar: I've never had to have radiation, but just the thought of it during my first visit with BS scared me. I wish you peace and comfort for your future treatments. My breast MRI gave me the shakes and I know the tech thought I was being silly.
Michele: Hope workplace is treating you well. I have been back to work since Feb 8th and came down with a nasty sinus infection last week. Sure am glad I was able to stay home during treatments....I never was "sick" then.....well, you know what I mean.
Jen: Sure do wish you could have some relief from the arm/hand lymphedema.....I know you're in pain and you are always so encouraging to everyone, I love reading your messages.
JoJo: You always make me smile....your spirit comes through so well in your posts! How's your daughter?
I'm still wearing my wig and not wanting to at all, but I'm too self-conscious to try and go without it. ...well, I did go outside without it over the weekend. Just in the backyard....felt nice to have the sunshine on my head and the wind in my "hairs"!
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I was always uptight at first when I went to rads and as soon as they left the room I would start relaxing. Several times they had to come in and readjust. One day she said what are we going to do to keep you from moving and relaxing after we leave the room? I told her my arm was hurting, the arm on the good side, so they placed something under it to hold it up and then would wait on me to relax and after about a week we had it down to a fine art. I don't remember being emotional or anxious after we got into a routine.
Hope all is going well for everyone,
Juannelle
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Hope everyone had a great Tuesday! I went back to work today,
and I think they are trying to torture me... we have at least 6 or 7 new admissions coming in between Friday and next Wednesday. Don't get me wrong, we need the move in's, but what the heck! Not all in 3-4 days and the way my luck runs 2 are coming in on Friday and the other 5 will come in on Tuesday because it's the last day before the last day of the month. LOL!!! There is only myself and one other nurse to do all of the paperwork, Uggghhh!!!!! O.k. that's my rant today. Sorry!!!!!!!!!! 0 -
That's always what happens when you take off a few days! Is it worth it? Well, yes... but.......
pam
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Mimi:
Bristol sure is awesome! My DH & I went to night race (maybe 2002?) That was my 1st Nascar race to attend, LOVED it! We've been to Atlanta and Homestead, too (Nov 2004) and a truck race at KY Speedway (Carl Edwards won) but Bristol tops 'em all! Do you camp? I hear that's the only way to do Bristol!
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Good morning ladies-
Psalm121- Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. I am trying to learn just to live with what I have and be thankful that my BC wasn't worse. I was actually pretty teary eyed yesterday about the whole thing, but I get that way sometimes. I just stop and think about everything I have been thru and just want to cry. So I guess the key is not to think about it.
I did have a conversation with my surgeon, I wanted to know if he did a SNB or a axillary dissection. I was under the impression he did the latter because of the amount of nodes that were removed. But, he told me he did only do a SNB, but removed so many because of all the "noise" from the radioactive dye that was injected. He had to remove 2 clusters of nodes one containing 3 and the other that contained 6. I guess that just means that I am in the very low percentage of people who get LE from SNB.
As far as my experience with Rads. I was never really nervous once I got going and got to know my techs. They made it so easy and tolerable. It was always very cold in the room, but I just tried to think of other things. Sometimes I would sing songs to myself in my head or do a TaeKwonDo form in my head, sort of a meditation I guess.
Hope everyone is having a great day! Mary if your out there we miss you!!
Hugs
Jen
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Pam good news.
I got my pathology reports back today on the thyroid and it is cancerous, I think having two different cancers in one year really sucks, it makes me worry what next. I am lucky they were proactive and removed the whole gland due to unknown growth as the initial biopsy was negative, treatment is minimal and consists of thyroid replacement meds for life and then yearly blood and ultrasounds. The cancer was small and not found in lymph nodes wil have more inof next week when I see the surgeon. Trying not to feel sorry for myself but it is hard, I Am very lucky that both cancers are manageable and can lead to long life even with.Posted in Middies thread too.
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Carollynn79 - sorry to hear about your thyroid. A work collegue was diagnosed with breast cancer at 42 and then thyroid cancer a year later. I wonder if the two are connected in some way. Or, maybe it's just a coincidence. You have such a positive attitude.
Sherri
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Carolyn,
I am so sorry you are having to go through more of this terrible stuff. You have every right to feel sorry for yourself! If not now, when? How did you recognize something was wrong? Thank goodness you and your doctors were watching. You must feel like what else!
I copied this article with interesting information. You might ask your doctors.
Healing vibes going out to you! Oops, sorry it copied twice. pam
Radiation therapy was recognized as a potential cause of cancer many years ago. In fact, much of what we know about radiation therapy has come from studying survivors of atomic bomb blasts in Japan. We also have learned from workers in certain jobs that included radiation exposure, and patients treated with radiation therapy for cancer and other diseases.Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have been linked to past radiation exposure. The risk of leukemia after radiation treatment depends on a number of factors such as:how much of the bone marrow was exposed to radiationthe amount of radiation that reached active bone marrowthe radiation dose rateThe person's age when they were treated with radiation does not seem to be a risk factor. Most cases usually develop within a few years of radiation treatment, peaking at 5 to 9 years after exposure. Then the number of cases developing slowly declines over the following years.In contrast, other cancers, which are mostly solid tumors, have been shown to take much longer to develop. Most of these cancers are not seen for 10 years after radiation therapy and some are diagnosed even more than 15 years later. The effect of radiation on the risk of developing a solid tumor cancer depends on such factors as:the dose of radiationthe area treatedthe age of the patient when they were treated with radiationIn general, the risk of developing a solid tumor after radiation treatment goes up as the dose of radiation increases. Some cancers require larger doses of radiation than others, and certain techniques require more radiation. For example, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) helps to protect tissues that are more easily injured by radiation, but a larger dose of radiation overall must be used.The area treated is also important, since these cancers tend to develop in or near the area that was treated with radiation. Certain organs, such as the breast and thyroid, seem to be more likely to develop cancers after radiation than others.Radiation therapy was recognized as a potential cause of cancer many years ago. In fact, much of what we know about radiation therapy has come from studying survivors of atomic bomb blasts in Japan. We also have learned from workers in certain jobs that included radiation exposure, and patients treated with radiation therapy for cancer and other diseases.
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have been linked to past radiation exposure. The risk of leukemia after radiation treatment depends on a number of factors such as:how much of the bone marrow was exposed to radiationthe amount of radiation that reached active bone marrowthe radiation dose rateThe person's age when they were treated with radiation does not seem to be a risk factor. Most cases usually develop within a few years of radiation treatment, peaking at 5 to 9 years after exposure. Then the number of cases developing slowly declines over the following years.In contrast, other cancers, which are mostly solid tumors, have been shown to take much longer to develop. Most of these cancers are not seen for 10 years after radiation therapy and some are diagnosed even more than 15 years later. The effect of radiation on the risk of developing a solid tumor cancer depends on such factors as:the dose of radiationthe area treatedthe age of the patient when they were treated with radiationIn general, the risk of developing a solid tumor after radiation treatment goes up as the dose of radiation increases. Some cancers require larger doses of radiation than others, and certain techniques require more radiation. For example, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) helps to protect tissues that are more easily injured by radiation, but a larger dose of radiation overall must be used.The area treated is also important, since these cancers tend to develop in or near the area that was treated with radiation. Certain organs, such as the breast and thyroid, seem to be more likely to develop cancers after radiation than others.
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Psalm 121 - Nope we don't camp because we don't have a camper. I've never been one for the outdoors much other than the beach. LOL! I probably could survive it if we had a 5th wheel though with air and heat. haha!! These days though those are too expensive. As far as tracks we've been too they include, Bristol, Lowe's, Martinsville, and of course Talladega!! (my hubby hasn't been to Talladega though, just me). We want to go to Atlanta and Daytona eventually.
Carolyn - I'm sorry about the Thyroid cancer but I'm happy for you that it was caught early and can be treated with meds. I take a low dose of Synthroid myself. I had 1/2 of my thyroid out over 21 yrs ago because of a cold nodule that came up after my son was born. Since I already had a history of cancer back then the doctors felt it best to remove that 1/2 and it functioned well. I started having some symptoms like extremely cold feet and hands, tiredness, fatigue, 30lb weight gain in less than a year for no reason, no energy to do the things I normally do and a change in my libido. My labs were still within normal range but they were low normal and I couldn't get my primary physician to do anything, but when I told my Medical Oncologist about my symptoms he spoke with the Endocrinologist and they put me on Synthroid 25mcg once a day and it has gotten my TSH up to mid range and I feel better, have more energy and I'm actually losing a little weight now with diet and exercise.
Renee
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Pam, thanks for the inof, i am learning more all the time, I felt a lump in my throat last July, asked my oncologist about it and he orderd a ultrasound and then when he got the results sent me to the Endo who ordered a biopsy which was negative but stated cancerous tendacies and they have been watching it. I had lumpps on both sides and then had a re-check in January it was still growing the oncologist and endo both reccommended removal. I found the lumps before radiation began.
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Carolyn: my heart goes out to you, so thankful no lymph node involvement....my prayers & thoughts are with you.
Renee: yeah, I'm so not a camper.....unless it's got a shower and a potty and that A/C & heat that you mentioned! Some of DHs friends always camp there....and say it's great. But that's men....not really concerned about the comforts of home! Thank goodness your Onc listened to you.....it amazes me how stubborn some doctors are.
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So that rules out radiation. That's good. I always worried about all the dental (braces) x-rays my kids had. And the fluoroscope machines that were in shoe stores in the 1950s!!! It's a wonder all us 40s-50s children don't have foot cancer! Just too many unknowns.
There is no history of BC in my family. Don't know why I had to be the first!!! But so glad to be here now when there are so many good treatments. Good luck to both of us!
pam
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HI ALL
Ive starting down the rads road my sisters been down for a few days and has been going in with me and thats been so nice we usually do things before or after like lunch or shopping its only been four days now but today I'm so tired i think its just all been the running around that we have been doing,and also my boob is really sore the one that is getting zapped it feels like Ive been punched in the boob that heavy achy feeling it goes up onto my shoulder any one else had that .
MICHELLE
Have you got your test results back yet my fingers are getting cramps in them from crossing them
CAROLYN
Sorry to hear your news it sounds like you have a good medical team to look after you hang in there were all holding on to your hand
JOJO
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Hi ladies, I am not new on this wonderful site, but this is my first post (I think) on this topic...I have mainly posted on 2009 Dec Rads Group..Hi Renee (Mimi1964) hope you had a great time in Bristol, did you eat some bisquits and gravy for me??.......Anyway, I thought I would ask you ladies if any of you have experienced these symptoms after surgery and radiation....
Left lumpectomy breast at sentinal node scar...appears well healed, but I swear it feels like I have a sandspur under my skin that is irritated by every move, no swelling....There is a very hard almond size area that is very tender there and aches at times...It seems that this area makes my whole underarm and lumpectomy area plus my arm seem so sore at times..My scars have healed but with one little touch hurt and my breast has a very hard muscle like area....I have talked to both my surgeon who pushed on these areas so hard that they ached for weeks afterward, he seemed to think that I have not had enough healing time (surgery was end Oct 09) and not worried about it, he said I have a small seroma at lumpectomy area that is of no concern also...My onco doc said that the almond shape hardness at sentinal scar was a fibrous band and also nothing to worry about....I just wonder if any of you felt anything like a cutting/sandspur like irratation under sentinal node removal area......also how long did it take your lumpectomy/sentinal node area to heal after surgery....I appreciate any input.....thank you
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somanywomen,
I have not had the same discomfort as you but everyone is so different. There does not seem to be a right or wrong or a normal or abnormal. My surgical sites healed very quickly, within weeks I would say. I have still two or three fibrous bands on the underside of my breast like cording that don't really hurt. They are slowing going away and it seems like massage helps. Seromas seen pretty common and most people wait for them to absorb. I think you can have the fluid drawn off but that can cause other problems. While these things bother us they never seem to worry our doctors
The sharp pain is terrible. It would make me wonder if there was a stitch or staple poking in there. You know how something as small as a splinter can cause so much discomfort! I don't know if cording alone could cause the feeling you have, You might do a search on here for "cording" and post there. Stretching, massage and exercise seems to help if that is the problem.
Wishing you find a solution.
pam
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Carolyn~ So sorry to hear about they thyroid cancer. But from what I have heard and people I know that have been thru it, it is very manageable and has a great survival rate. Great news that it was caught early and taken out. You must have very good diligent doctors. Prayers and hugs to you!
Michele- How are things going with you? Have you heard back on the brown nipple discharge yet? Thinking about you
You should be done with rads any day now right?Pam- One of my biggest fears was getting a secondary cancer from the treatment I have received from BC. The radiation and Tamoxifen alone can cause several problems. It is a scary thing, but unfortunately they are necessary and the benefits outway the risks in our situation.
Somanywomen- Welcome to our little neck of the woods, we are happy to have you
I am still experiencing some discomfort at my lumpectomy site as well. I spoke with my surgeon about it the other day and he said that it has only been a few months for me (had surgery in August) and that coupled with radiation, there is bound to be some swelling and tenderness. I take Aleve once everyday and that seems to help some. Also, just stretching and simple arm excercises help too. Good luck to you, I hope you find some comfort soon.JoJo- So good to hear from you! I love reading your posts! So great for you that your sister is with you and going to your rads appointments with you. I'm sending good vibes your way for minimal SE's from rads. My breast did ache a bit while in rads treatment, my rads onc told me to take Aleve once to twice a day and that would releave any swelling or discomfort. But ask your doc first if that is ok for you to do. Take care!
Hope everyone else is having a good day.
Many Blessings to you all
hugs
Jen
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Thanks pj and jburke I appreciate your replies, I did a lot of research on cording etc, and the fibrous bands and can massage them, but the area that is so bothersome hurts and gets more irritated if touched..Mind you that there is no redness or outward swelling just like there is a burr or something irratating the scar area....I have my first mammo/us on left breast next month (6 mo followup) and hoping that the cause will show up, of course this is pretty high up underarm area and not sure if it will show...My surgeon says my seroma is so small just to leave it alone...I am sure he hopes that my little almond/burr will dissipate also, but it does not seem to be getter any better....thanks again..
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Carolyn - I had thyroid cancer before BC - actually 15 years ago. I had no treatment after the thyroidectomy, I take the generic for Synthroid daily. Hang in there!
Joanne - my boob was heavy during full breast RADS, and was sometimes achy, I think because of the swelling/inflammation. That seems to have subsided now that I'm getting the boosts.
I finish with RADS on Mon 3/29, I can't believe how quickly it went! I'm in the very tan/itchy stage, hoping that it doesn't get much worse.
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Thanks Carol, I think the biggest issue is mental it is hard not to think what or where will it be next. My goal is to heal up, get the meds under control and just live my life.
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HI girls, I have been a bit out of the loop since my exchange. Think of you all often. Carolynn so sorry about your thyroid diagnosis ~ surely 2 cancers is more then enough !!
Hope you are all doing well.
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Alicia, thanks I am doing well, hope you are too since your exchange.
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Alicia,
Is the exchange the last surgery, hopefully?There are so many different breast reconstruction procedures that, if you are not the one doing them, it is hard to keep track. I hope this was the last step!
Jen,
It sounds like your doctor had no choice in removing so many nodes. When I had the nuclear injection the tech showed me the "picture" of my string of nodes. All of this stuff would be fascinating if it weren't so terrible. I am sorry you have to cope with this complication. Walking to the beach yesterday I ran my hand along the old treated wood railing on the stairs and got a splinter in my op'd side thumb. First thing I thought of was LE. Finally got the splinter out this AM and am doctoring the wound like it was a big deal.
I had lunch with friends today and it wore me out. Not much stamina these days :-( Socializing is hard work.
pam
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Carolyn, Sorry you have to go through this rotten crap...I hope other than that you are doing well. It sounds like you Dr.s are taking good care of you.
Had my last rads today...yahoo. Now what? it seems a bit crazy to be done after all this time...or at least I hope I am done...have my mammo on Tuesday..
Work has been not to bad...I am only working a few hours a day..yesterday was long..I worked a full day then went to rads and was delayed by almost an hour...my bed was very welcome.
I am looking forward to a day of relaxing..breakfast with my cousin and shopping...ah.
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Michele - contrats on finishing rads. You're done...yay!!! Breakfast and shopping sounds awesome. Buy yourself something nice (I said so!).
Alicia - I hope you're feeling well after your recent exchange surgery.
I'm now four days into 21 days of rads. My MIL says I'm 1/5th done. Yesterday I was 1/7th done. Her math cracks me up. I'm also analyzing my scalp regularly to check on the progress of the hair coming in. I'm getting impatient. It's been 6 weeks and it's coming it but not fast enough for me. I know I just have to hang in there.
Sherri
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MICHELE
YEH YEH YEH for you ,hey any results yet on the leaky boob and what to do next???? ENJOY YOUR LIFE DEAR SISTER
ALICIA
Hope all went well for you and your new boobies are looking really hot , rest up and take care
SHERRI
Ive got about 1/2 inch growth on my head and this morning i got a mirror and had a look at the back of my head and i was so surprised to see hair it was the hi light of my day
C2WILL
How does the boosts work? is it in the area just where the tumor was is ita stronger rays or just the same and is it a bit kinder to the rest of your boob
HEY JEN
Thanks for the good vibes by the time they reached me her in Australia they were stronger and made me feel really warm and fuzzy thanks
Well today was a very nice day for me i had a Thai massage for 2 hrs hmmmm yes 2 hrs you could imagine just how much i loved it i wanted to marry her and bring her home with me be she just laughed when i suggested it ( mmm i suppose i could just go and kidnap her ) .Then i went shopping and bought lots of nice things, then on my way home i ate some Darrell lee chocolate ohh heaven is down on me today ladies and I'm enjoying it lol. No rads for me today the machine is having maintenance so thats 3 days off for Jojo good give my boob a rest .
Well I'm of to buy some dinner no cooking for me
JOJO
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