Ladies in their 30s
Comments
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yes!!! I will start sept. How bad is it
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Can I jump in with radiation questions too? I'm nervous about it..don't have a start date yet..
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Radiation is physically easier than chemo. But it is a bit of a schedule drain. Depending how long you have to go for - the daily grind might start to get to you. You might still be tired but not the same kind of tired as chemo. And just be sure to follow their directions about creaming up your skin. I used aquaphor and my skin did pretty well. My motto was - when you think you've lubed up enough - lube some more. If you handled other treatments you'll get through this too. For those of you who have young kids - my then 5 year old son was a bit distressed about me leaving the house daily for treatment. So we eventually made a count down calendar together so he could see the end. That seemed to help some. Good luck!
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newlydx, what type of cancer do you have? Hormone positive, Her2+??
Kathy
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Ali and littleblueflowers,
I did radiation every day for 6 weeks lastAug-Sept 2014. I did very well with it and it went by much faster than I had expected. My main side effect was fatigue especially towards the end. I used Pure Aloe Vera 3-4 times a day and got some radiation cream(from Lindi skin care) I used twice a day. I never got blisters or anything! The last week was the worst, it was like a really bad sunburn. You don't feel anything during the treatment and it's fast, like 5 min.
Kathy
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Therapy has been a God send for me. I've been on tamoxifen about a month now. Not too many side effects yet. I've got Celexa, Xanax and Klonopin on hand in case I crash. I get weepy at times but can pull it together. Radiation was fairly easy for me but I only had to do four weeks. I did not burn or blister, just got red and bumpy a bit. You will do fine!
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Thanks so much for sharing your experiences ladies! Radiation is scary..
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Radiation per sé is not too bad it is just the fact that you had to go everyday. I was tired by the 3rd week as I was taking public transit to go to the hospital. I would walk 2.5km each way and by the time I was home I was ready for a nap. Follow the instructions about keeping the skin moist and clean. If the weather is hot try to wear loose clothes and protect the skin.
I peeled 2 weeks after the radiation was completed. The skin got really really dark (like a deep tan) and that was it. I know some ladies used aquafor (I believe it is spelled) as a lotion, whatever you do don't use oil.
Besides the fatigue and hot skin, radiation is not bad and exercising (even if just walking) will be good for you.
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For me chemo was brutal and radiation was 25 days of looking up at the palm tree tiles at the radiation centre with reggae tunes. So much easier for me personally. By the end it was like a really dark burn, slight skin breakdown in skin folds and about a week of being fairly uncomfortable after my last day. Lotion lotion lotion, try to get in at least a walk everyday and nap if you need to. My daughter was 3 and made it through just fine. I napped with her about half of the days, but the fatigue wasn't even on the same planet as chemo fatigue. Best of luck!
I did not have the time or money to save any eggs before my chemo. My hormones were tested about 9 months after chemo and it doesn't look good. I wish I could give my daughter a sibling but I have to wait another year before we can attempt! But I am here for her and that is most important.
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It really depends on your pathology. Do you have more info? I know sometimes they can give you shots during chemo to protect your ovaries.
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I've not posted here yet but I finished radiation about 3 weeks ago. I think the worst part of radiation for me was the fatigue and the sore throat (they radiated the nodes near my neck). Compared to chemo it wasn't as bad, but I wasn't expecting it to be as significant as it was. So go into it knowing that, take care of yourself and rest when you can.
I've read you can get shots during chemo to protect your ovaries but I don't have any experience with it. I have two kids and decided after all this and the c-sections my body had had enough. Good luck.
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Ive been reading the radiation threads, but is there any questions that you ladies who have gone through it already wish you had asked your RO? I go in for a consultation next wednesday, so am trying to get prepared. My MO says I'm in the grey area weather I need it radiation or not, so I want to be armed with lots of questions! Right now I'm just like"throw the kitchen sink at the beast and then burn the house down around it!" but I recognize that may not be completely reasonable LOL..
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I think it's totally a reasonable mindset! You have to live the rest of your life and for me, knowing I did absolutely everything I could to prevent this cancer from showing up again was the obvious choice. I am 3/4ths done with radiation right now and it has been by far the easiest part of this whole thing. My skin is a bit pink but otherwise fine.
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littleblueflower - I think one of the questions would be what's long term damage and complications that can arise in future especially if you have a family history of heart problems. I believe there are articles of this forum that talk about radiation.
In my case heart was my main concern. Perhaps you ask what % of their patients have had issue after the radiation and/or recurrence. I forgot to ask that. And if they believe that the benefits of radiation outweigh the risks in your situation.
I had no choice given the nodes involved.
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I was also in the gray area. I would ask them to tell you every area they are radiating. I wasn't clear on that, so when symptoms (sore throat) showed up, I didn't put two and two together for several days. I'm sure my RO mentioned it, but as I'm sure you already know, you forget half of what they say unless you have a note taker with you. Asking about risk to the heart is another good idea. If your cancer is on the left, it's something to take into account. I also asked about risk of long term side effects, such as lung and bone issues and secondary cancers (very small risk). I'm sure they'll mention percentage risk reduction and everything--that's what made the decision for me. I'm of the same thought process as you--let's blast the hell out of this sucker!
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it can be tuff with little ones. I am on Zoloft, have been even before cancer and occasionally take Xanax when I can't sleep. It is so strange...as if it happens in cycles. Some days/nights I feel fine, even great and ready to conquer the world and other days I feel like crap and can't sleep. I hate to take Xanax as I know it can be addicting. My onc prescribed 1 to 1.5 mg as needed for sleep. I took 2mg, I was so desperate for sleep and was a zombie the next day...I didn't fall asleep until,about 5am and sleep until 6 pm...my mom had to come over and take care of the kids. I feel terrible but I needed to sleep. Tonight I took 1mg....I hate depending on these drugs to function. I want to be a present and a functional wife and mother that my family deserves.0
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oh, I forgot to mention, I have a mammo follow up tomorrow....fun
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I know it can be so hard Brittany even more so on those big days.have you ever tried just .5 xanax that's what I take once in a while and it does the trick withput making me a zombie..or even a couple Benadryl can help on those bad nights I am on the lowest dose of Exeffor and what a difference it had made for me I feel like me again and don't cry looking at my kids anymore plus it help I have a nurse practitioner ocassionaly see she's like my cheerleader I love her
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mamabear can I ask why you had radiation with aaa texting and no lymph nodes involved my mo is telling me no radiation so far unless something changes during surgery I want to do everything I can to keep this away forever
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I agree with taking the meds they give as you need them. I got on Lexapro and use .5 mg Ativan as needed. I expressed concern about dependency as well but my doctor told me to think of it as a bridge to get through an extraordinarily tough time. This isn't easy stuff, and having young kids at the same time makes it even harder.
I got radiation despite not having the common indicators because I fit a second set of criteria that made me high risk. I think they said it was because of my age, the location of the tumor (close to my chest wall, margins after surgery were negative but very close), lymphovascular invasion and grade of the tumor. My tumor was also located on the inner top quadrant of my breast, so they also radiated the lymph nodes under my sternum and above and below my clavicle, just to be safe. They also got my whole chest wall since I had a bmx and have no boob to radiate. It seemed excessive at first but the more I read the more I agreed with the plan. I got several opinions before proceeding with radiation, so if you have time that might be a good idea.
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thanks for the info my tumor was not close to my chest wall very superficial but it was in my inner quadrant at the 12 o'clock position I will discuss this with my mo next visit wasn't sure that if when they do surgery perform SNB if the dye goes to the nodes under the clavicle I suppose radiation will be considered hopefully
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I think I'm developing a tolerance to Ativan..It doesn't really do anything for me anymore. Its probably time to talk about a real anti-depressant. Does Effexor kind of smooth out the highs and lows? Like you ladies are talking about, sometimes I'm way up and ready to kick ass, then I crash so hard and just want to stay in bed..there doesn't seem to be any middle ground.
Thanks for the input on radiation. I don't have an breasts left either. Its interesting about a second set of criteria, Mamabear. I feel like I may have to make a case to actually get radiation, since my MO says I'm in the grey area, whatever that means. This may change, but I feel like I'd rather die of heart problems if it comes down to that than cancer. The tumor I had was on the left side, and I did have a positive armpit node and one kind of on my side. About how long did you all have off between chemo and radiation? My MO is saying I should wait 3 weeks after chemo to get my port out to lower my risk of infection, although he also said technically I could get it out the day of my last chemo. Wondering if that plays into the timing of radiation as well? Sorry, I know these are questions I have to ask my MO and RO, but knowing other peole's experiences before hand really helps!
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I thought I might have been developing a tolerance myself so I backed off of it and tried to use it only when I really, really needed it. The Lexapro has helped even me out overall. I would talk to your doctor and see what they suggest. There are several good options to help through a rough patch like this.
At first I hadn't wanted radiation and went for a second opinion since my first opinion had said it was a gray area. The second opinion said, unequivocally, that she would suggest it, and my third opinion said the same thing. I would suggest getting a second opinion if you haven't already. Having several doctors agree put my mind at ease. I had three weeks between my last chemo and my first radiation. I think that is fairly standard but I could be wrong. I still have my port and probably will for another year or so, so that never played into the equation. I think they just wait the three weeks between chemo and radiation to give your body a chance to recover. Anyway, that's my two cents. Hope you are able to find answers and put your mind at ease.
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my RO waited the full 4 weeks between last chemo and radiation. I asked if we could start it a bit earlier and she said 4 weeks again. I think she wanted to make sure full recovery from last chemo and most probably to make sure the white blood cells were at a good level.
I agree a second opinion is nice to have when in doubt. I went to one RO first and asked about how they would proceed if the heart was close to the area and the response wasn't too assuring. The second RO talked about a different way of delivering the therapy if the heart was too close. Low and behold it was so I had to do radiation with the ABC breathing method. So if you are not happy with the opinion of a doctor or not sure try seeing a second or third one.
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I'm thinking about starting Celexa. Anyone have any luck with it? As another poster mentioned I need help evening out the highs and lows. Tamoxifen is giving me hellacious PMS before my period - fatigue, brain fog, crying, depression, etc. I'm still functional but its a huge difference in my normal personality. I hate to add another med into the mix but I would like to avoid those lows if possible.
Is anyone else here just on Tamoxifen?
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Just on Tamoxifen here. I felt normal again when my period came (it lasted for two cycles) and I missed this cycle so I don't know if menopause is kicking in again. I have been a bit emotional lately but just taking Tamoxifen. Thinking to start again the magnesiu, calcium and vit D as the bone pain is starting again
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is there any young moms out there that can give me hope every time I find another mom who was diagnosed with breast cancer within a year or two of giving birth they end up being stage 4 I was diagnosed when my daughter was 13 months old I'm scared I caught it too late although my pet was clean
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Stephmoen - the fear is very real and can be debilitating if you don't take control of it. I wasn't as close out of birth as you but - my youngest was just shy of 2 years old when I was diagnosed (had his 2nd b-day in my back yard about 2 weeks after my surgery). In fact my gyn and I joked that the lump he felt was likely a clogged milk duct since I had been nursing for about the first year. But luckily he took it seriously and sent me out his door with a script for mammo and sono and told me in a very fatherly way that I should go do them sooner rather than later. I went right away and was diagnosed immediately. Some of my docs have told me stage 2 others have said 3. I think the staging is all hokey anyway and don't put a whole lot of stock in it. I had 6 positive nodes - and in the words of my breast surgeon - I had a lot of cancer in there. I am happy to tell you this past Friday was 3 years since my surgery and I consider myself 3 years cancer free. I did everything they told me to do - surgery, chemo, radiation, tamoxifen,etc... and I consider myself a survivor and plan on staying that way. I believe in the power of positive thinking. When I was first diagnosed I chanted a mantra every day - "I have cancer, cancer does not have me." I felt like it helped center me and chase the intense fear away. If your PET was clean - embrace that. Tell yourself you are strong and you will get through this. Remind yourself of the prize at the end of the tunnel - your kids. You can do this. Hang in there!
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Stephmoen, my youngest was 13 months when I was diagnosed, so I totally get the fear. I really do. I've started seeing a counselor to help deal with the fear and uncertainty. None of us really know how long we have, and I keep trying to remember that I don't want to spend however long that time may be terrified and consumed by all this. Easier said than done--working on it. I try to look at my husband's aunt who had BC in the early 90's and had a 10 month old. She's still around and disease free. They do exist. Hugs.
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Hi:
I was told I had a clogged milk duct when my daughter was 6 months and then I got pregnant again and that's when I found it was cancer. I am here still. Is been 3 years. There are a couple of ladies I know with postpartum breast cancer that are doing well , one is 23 years out
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