Radiation recovery
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Elizabeth when I had my 6 mouth mammogram I had to do it 3 different times. I had to wait while they read them. It was unreal. They finally decided mine was scar tissue. Hoping and Praying everything goes well for you....
I still have pain in my breast. Not sure when it will go away. Sharp stabbing pains every now and then. But it is nothing like it was right out of Rads... I also still get tired easily. It does get better with time...
Monday I have to have the liver US.I have high liver enzymes... These test can play with your mind. errrrrr I hate feeling like this...
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Irw333......Cancer is the gift that keeps on giving it, isn't it? Will be thinking of you Monday and hopefully everything will be okay with the liver US.
So far I don't have a 6 month mammogram scheduled. My MO scheduled my first mammo for the one year mark. Funny how they are all different.
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Elizabeth....I'm so sorry about the recall. I do hope this is just scar tissue as its your first mammo since surgery, right? I'm expecting the same thing once I get to that point. I do hope you can get in early next week so you don't have to wait long,
I've finally gotten scheduled for my ultra sound and immediate biopsy for the 23rd. I'm still hopeful that this is just scar tissue or a lymph node being silly as I only finished rads Nov. 2nd. This waiting stuff is certainly hard. I did renew my Ativan prescription!
Janise, sorry you're in the waiting game again also. I do think the swollen breast is probably a bit of lymphadema. Do you know any of the gentle massage? Does that help? I have to do it occasionally as I will get a bit of swelling. Maybe you're playing with your niece too hard? Is she the one that did that great tattoo? Was that even you? Loosing my mind here.
Congrats to all the graduates....hang in there, it does get better. One afternoon you'll realize all you've accomplished that day and not felt drained even once. There are ups and down, just give your body time to heal. You've been thru LOTS, mentally as well as physically.0 -
Elizabeth, I am so sorry you have this aggravation. I will pray that everything is ok for you.
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Thank you for your kind thoughts, everyone. It helps so much. I have an appointment for the recheck on Monday so it least I will not have to wait long. Keeping my fingers crossed that it is just scar tissue. We are all going through so much. Janis, I hope you learn the cause of the swelling soon so that you can feel better. Irw33, I will be thinking of you on Monday and hoping your liver US will turn out fine. Mostly Sew, best of luck on the 23rd with your US and biopsy. Katehudson, I hope your surgery will go well. Like Janis said, cancer is the gift that keeps on giving. Yes, I still have some ativan.
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Thank you Elizabeth. How sweet of you to think of me when you have this going on. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you too, that it is just scar tissue.
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I just want all of you to know that although I'm the newbie, I'm thinking of you too. My first rad appointment is Jan 23rd, course is 6 weeks. I'm going to keep checking this thread since I'm getting very sound advice. Will post of progress and any questions I may have. Everyone, mind over matter is your healing power. I works for me.
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Wow, a lot going on here all at once. Hang in there ladies, I will be thinking of all of you. Elizabeth remember that 80% of call backs are nothing.
Cancer is the nightmare that keeps on scaring-Don't forget to write to Washington on the 23rd. It is time we kick cancer's ass to the curb once and for all!
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MostlySew...nothing wrong with your mind at all. Yes, this is my niece who had the beautiful tattoo done in my honor. You remember very well. I am sorry you are having problems as well. Your appointment is one day before mine. I'll be thinking of you and waiting to hear how things went.
Kate...good luck with your surgery the 19th. That is my DH's birthday so it is a great day!
kingjr66.....Going in with a positive attitude will help and good luck during rads. I am one of the rare ones who never had any anxiety at all about them. Going daily didn't bother me. I hope you have an easy course with minimul skin irritation. Just use lots of lotion. See what the techs recommend, often they give samples of some good kinds. Several people mentioned emu oil working very well. Much luck on your journey. You know we'll be here alongside you!
Last evening Renee and i went into my bedroom to watch a "chick flick" together. It was early, just after dinner. I think I fell asleep in five minutes! I had been cold and got under the covers fully dressed, thick socks and even a heavy sweatshirt. I woke up at 2:30! Wow. The odd part was I wasn't even burning up. I fell back asleep and slept soundly until 6:00. That is so not like me but I have had a busy...albeit fun week with her here. I just feel bad I deserted her on her last night. Her plane leaves at 1:00 today. I am glad my Broncos play tonight so I have a nice diversion!
Big hugs of hope everyone!
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Hi ladies, hoping you will allow me to join up! Had last rad last Wednesday. Skin held up well, and tiredness has not really interfered with work nor play.
Elizabeth, you are making me think of every time I got called back for additional views. Got so that I just sort of ignored the anxiety because it always came back clean. Clean, that is, until last March when the crap hit the fan. I can't imagine the worry you must be going thru and please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Justmejanis: thank you, yes having a positive attitude counts. That's me. I keep living, that's what's important. I think I will have a better than average time with what's ahead. Well off to stock up on those creams/lotions/bras/tees. Will keep in touch.
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Hi Ladies Im new to this thread too, I just started Rads Thursday the 12th.... I dont know what to expect... I have 5 weeks of it.. Can Anyone let me know what Im in for with this... Thanks a bunch
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Thank you for the kind wishes, everyone. I feel loved and that helps so much. Shelley 2011, I always got called back, too, for additional views. I started wanting to make the call back appointment at the same time I made the appointment for the regular mammogram becaue I knew I would need it. I was just hoping this time would be different.
Welcome, kingjr66 and Terry71. I wish you the best of luck on your rads journey. We are here for you with lots of information and caring.
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Elizabeth, so sorry you are being called back for more views! Keeping you close in mind and prayers over the weekend while you wait. Hopefully they won't make you wait for news when you go back. Do keep in mind we've had lots of work done and there is lots of scar tissue so they have to be extra careful. Hugs!!!
Mostly Sew, keeping you in my prayers too as you go for your ultrasound and biopsy. I've got a swollen place under my arm that my MO is watching. I had it before radiation so I'm just ignoring it for now and taking my letrozole religiously. Yes, cancer is the gift that just keeps on giving. Praying that you get really good results and can relax!!
Janis, so glad you had a good time with your niece. What a special treat!
Kingjr and Terry, so glad you are joining us, though I wish you didn't have to. Terry, if you really want to know what you might be in for, you could read some of the radiation threads that were posted as we went through radiation. I think many of us here now were in August and Sept and November, 2011? I will say, though, that radiation is different for everyone, so you will see things that will scare you and things that will reassure you!
Kate, wishing you so much luck with your surgery. So sorry you are having to go through it again.
Blessings to all of you,
Steph
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Thank you stephn, Elizabeth, and Janis for your good wishes. I hope this will be my last surgery. This is my 4th operation since July 2011.
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JustmeJanis,
Thanks for reminding me about the BRONCOS!!!! Yippie! Go Denver!
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truebff......I don't find too many Denver fans so glad I reminded you. This will be a challenge for them. All our fingers and paws are crossed here.
Kingjr and Terry, welcome! Again sorry we have to meet like this. Terry I totally agree with Steph. Go back and read a lot of our older posts. I am in three threads as I started rads in late August and finished in early October. Remember too rads are different for everyone and don't let some of the stories scare you. So many sail through it with few issues. We all had different experiences but today we are all pretty much recovering well. Hang in there!
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Justmejanis,
It was john Elway who made me -an artist and one who definitely used to hold her nose during Sunday games!- fall for football back in the eighties when I was skiing every day and he did those ski commercials in a car cause his contract wouldn't let him ski. He was so charming, so involved with good and kind causes, and so awesome to watch play! Oh yeah!
Between John and my second husband, who explains everything in such a non-condensending and including-me-in way, that I have grown to enjoy this man sport enormously. But The Broncos will always have my heart in pro-football, although, wow, the new Detorit QB is awesome like John Elwayand never gives up and is a gentleman too. Go Broncos!
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I lived in Denver for almst 20 years, then Wyoming, so always was able to follow all the games. I hear all the positive but then negative feedback about tebow. Sometimes I have to remind my DH of a young new QB that everyone in Denver hated his first couple years. Man named Elway! Tebow's numbers for his first six games are actually better than Elway's were his first six. I have no idea why there is such a love/hate thing going for Tebow, but we need to give this young man a chance. Go Broncos is right!
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Sorry Denver fans, but I live in Cleveland where hating the Broncos come second only to hating the Steelers! Well, maybe third, we love to hate the Ravens too....LOL
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Haha! I was traveling / moving from Vail, Colo to Vermont during the long-ago Elway led infamous Bronco-Browns Playoff game and was in a bar and grill next to our hotel alone (my husband and daughter went ahead of me back after dinner, but I stayed to watch the game and have a margaritta) in Ohio and I was the ONLY person in the room -and getting Baaaad Glares !!! - who was rooting openly for Denver!! It was FUN to win too! Yippie! (Maybe it was good thing I was a woman in that place! Not really - all in good fun!)
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I'm looking forward to being done with my treatments on Thursday! It cannot come fast enough. I've only had minor problems and will be glad not to have to come to the cancer center every day! I can sleep late (I never sleep late, lol), stay in my jammies longer, rofl, etc....
This site was very comforting me since I was diagnosed and wanted to read as much as possible about breast cancer, treatments, etc.
The best suggestion by far was to start a binder to keep all my medical records together. Even the people at the cancer center are impressed by my binder!
I hope you all have a healthy new year!
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Welcome, kingjr66 and Terry71 and shelley2011, and congrats shelley for being finished with rads!!!!
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Let's see if I can catch up from the weekend ...
Janis - thanks for asking ... I'm doing well. Trying to learn to live with this new short hair. It's hard ... I get sad every time I see my reflection. Feeling positive and good otherwise (except for the SEs from Arimidex, but whatever right?) I have bouts of trunk lymphedema too - hope your doc can confirm and offer some relief.
Kate - keep checking in to remind us your surgery is coming - this Thursday (1/19) right? We will be here for you!
Elizabeth and Mostly Sew - aren't call backs the worst? Seems we will never get away from the scares
Hang in there!And finally to the newbies - welcome to those about to start and those who just finished! It's so great how we support each other on this journey!
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Hi Mama V, thank you so much for thinking of me. My surgery is this Thursday. I am a little scared because these implants have been causing me a lot of pain, but I am a trooper, so I should be fine. By summer your hair will be long again, and I bet it looks fine, short. Elizabeth please let us know how everything went. I have been praying for you.
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MamaV...always good to hear from you and I am so glad you are doing well. I am heading out to the MO's office in a few minutes. The nurse does think I have LE but with no arm swelling they need to take a look. Guessing it is the Truncal LE. She said of so they will have to find a qualified specialist in this area to treat it. I am upset mostly because of the economics but one day at a time, huh?
Elizabeth you know right where my heart is!
Kate I am sure everythingt will go fine for you Thursday. Being scared is normal, but I am sure you will be fine. I'll be thinking of you.
Have a great afternoon/evening everyone!
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Kate, I will be thinking of you. Best of luck on your surgery.
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Hi everyone, Good news. The call back mammogram revealed no abnormalities. I thought they wanted to redo the left breast where the cancer was found, but it was actually the right breast that needed a second look. They thought they had seen a lump on one of the original views, but the diagnostic mammogram revealed nothing. Now, I can let out a big sigh of relief. Also, I will see my BS in February just for double reassurance. Thank you everyone for all of our care and support. Wishing everyone well with their appointments and tests this week. Like we say, cancer is the gift that keeps on giving, but cancer did not count on the strength we all find when we are together.
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Elizabeth, that is wonderful news!!!! Yeah!!!!!
I saw my MO today. Mentioned that I sort of go out of balance maybe once a day, but was not too worried about it as I see many on this site mention it. He didn't seem overly concerned, but...brain MRI on Friday. One good thing about breast cancer is that they can pretty much order any test and justify it.
I am also starting 100mg B6 at his suggestion to try to hurry along the neuropathy recovery. Can't feel my middle 3 toes on both feet most of the time, which is problematic in winter in Cleveland, Ohio.
I've been on Aromacin for 2 wks now, and am starting calcium plus 4000iu vitamin D3. Oh boy, lots more pills each day.
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I saw my MO's nurse practcioner today. Esther is great and I trust her. She thinks I have a couple issues. She thinks due to the redness is the breast I have cellulitis. This can be treated easily enough with antibiotics, but she thinks the swelling is too much for cellulitis. She is thinking LE. I go back in to see her next and if the swelling is still persistant then we have to find an LE therapist.
Elizabeth so happy for your good news!
shelly fingers crossed for all good news on your MRI.
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Wow, ladies, its so good to hear ( generally) great news! Elizabeth, I'm so excited for you that your recall was all clear.. Huge sigh of relief!
Janis, well cellulitis isn't what one would wish for, but antibiotics are easy enough and I'm glad you caught it in time. Sounds as though. They're taking good care of you though and perhaps the swelling will go down with the meds...we can always hope.
Shelly, whoosh, brain MRI sounds scary, but I'd bet your gut feeling that it's all Ok is probably correct. Fingers crossed on that one. Side story: before my breast cancer I'd had a couple good falls, and my doc told me to take up tai chi. Good advice, but I bet today if I start that again it would be a different story! Let us know the results for sure.
Kate, good luck with your surgery Friday. I hope the house is stocked with comfort food.
Mama V I'm glad you're doing well, and thanks again for your concern. Monday can't come fast enough for me! I've just decided to call this "thing" in my breast my UBO or Unidentified Breast Object. I'll be happy when it's identified. Meanwhile I continue to regain my strength so all is well.
To all the graduates....Hurrah, Hurrah, Hurrah......now let the healing begin!
Be well everyone.....0 -
Mostly Sew how are YOU doing? Is everything okay? I have been thinking of you all day........
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Hey Janis,
I'm getting by. I've decided to convine myself that this is just a false alarm and that it's a good thing to have this Ultra Sound because they can identify all the scar tissue now so that when I gave my 6 month mammo they won't be surpriised. How's that for positive thinking? I'm calling it my UBO as in Unidentified Breast Object, and the humor in that seems strangely comforting. I've also decided (just about) to make a trip to Maui for a few days to help my 93 year old mother get back home from her vacation. The trip over this year was a bit much for her. I'd need to make the reservations now, but what the heck, even if this is something new, I bet the surgeon wouldn't be ready to deal with before Feb15th when I'd be home. What do you think? Good plan?
That's probably more than you truly wanted to know, but I appreciate your asking. How's your back doing, anyway? Is the PT helping? I sure hope so.......0 -
Thank you for the good wishes Ceeztheday,Janis, and mostlysew. Elizabeth that is fantastic news. I am so happy for you.
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Fabulous news, Elizabeth!
Janis, hope the antibiotics kick your infection to the curb.
Kate and Mostly Sew, thinking of you too. A trip to Maui sounds like it would be just right, even if just for a few days. The extra time with your mom might be just what you need.
Best,
Steph
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Thanks, Steph...that's what I thought! How have you been doing? Haven't heard too much from you....hopefully you're just happily becoming what I guess we have to call the new "normal" ( as I'm not sure normal is quite what it used to be).
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Just wanted to thank everyone again for all of your support. I honestly do not know what I would do without our wonderful group here. Shelley2011, good luck with the MRI. I hope it will be normal. MostlySew, good luck with the US. Janis, I hope the antibiotics will work quickly.
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Thank you StephN
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Hi ladies
Please say a little prayer for my best friend Teresa. I went with her yesterday for a biopsy of a mass on her thyroid. I saw it on the ultrasound and it looked to be about an inch. If it is cancer she is in serious trouble. She is a transplant recipient and would most likely not survive chemo.
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Merilee saying prayers for your friend. I can feel your pain. I hate this disease..I hope everyone writes a letter to Washington on Jan. 23. We need changes or better yet a cure... Merilee started this letter writing campaign I hope we can all show our support. You can find all the info under *Lets draft a letter to Washington...* Topic...
Elizabeth that's wonderful news. So glad it turned out well for you.
Shelly and Mostlysew praying for good results on your test. I hope all goes well.
Kate thinking of you Thursday. I will be there in spirit. Your not alone.
Janis your one special Lady. Thank you for always being there....
To all the new Ladies just wanted to say Welcome! . I pray your journey is a peaceful one... I hope I did not leave anyone out. So much is going on for all of us... It is hard to keep up...
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Let's see if I can catch up ...
Kate - I will be in your pocket on Thursday - I hope this is the last surgery for you!
Janis - Let's get those antibiotics to work so we can get that LE taken care of too!
Elizabeth - YEEE HAWWWW! Happy dance!
Shelly - Brain MRI? I understand, just had to have a liver MRI b/c of other issues... came back non cancer - yours will too!
Mostlysew - I've said it before - scares are the worst!!!! But you go girl, Maui! YES!
Merilee - prayers for Teresa!
Have a great day all!
Vicky
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My authoritative rad onc is insisting that I come in for a final skin check, even though my skin has always been fine - it has become an almost comical control game between us - I am so glad rads is over - if you would like to hear more about the battle of wits (not so witty, actually), between my rads office and me, feel free to read my recent posts of yesterday and today on the "What Cheezed Me Off Today" thread. I realize I am making a big deal of something small, but I need to feel that I have some control of my life. This is my first step in taking control, no matter how petty it may seem.
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Irw..thanks for your sweet words. You know what to do........
MostlySew...I know you are as sick as I am of this "one thing after another" crap. I am thinking of you my friend and sending you strength and big hugs.
Merilee so sorry about your friend. Hoping for good news for her. It can happen!
Steph so good to hear from you and sure hope you are doing great.
Thinking of you all! Hugs!
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Thank you Irw and Mamav. Merilee I will pray for your ftiend.
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Merilee, I will say prayers for both you and your friend. No matter what happens, your friend is fortunate to have you in her corner.
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Ananadagram, On the last day of rads my RO said he would see me in six weeks for a re-check even though my skin looked fine. He did go on to explain that he would tell me when to set up my next mammo at that time and the frequency of mammomos thereafter. Almost as an afterthought he asked who my MO was and quickly backed off saying that my MO would follow, set up mammos etc. and that I didn't need to come back unless I had a problem. Could this be was is going on with yours?
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Thanks, ptdreamers - maybe that is what is going on with my RO. He is a tough one to figure-out. He is the one who went on and on to me about how awful his Christmas was - like I really cared....lol
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They seem quick to send you off if certain other docs are on with you. My breast surgeon might have stayed with me, but he said my "two" would be the RO and MO -el ycuko. I like my handsome hero BS!! He cut out the cancer in one swift operation and doesn't plan on doing that ever again.
As far as the "other two", personally I NEVER want to see the inside of RO clinic again (just going there again after 4 weeks made me sick sick sick). And my MO! I know my MO is going to try to work me over on the meds. He has already slyly been trying to do that -telling me I "will" be taking x and x, not even asking my permission. The thing is, I WON'T be takingx and x. He has already done the cozy-up-and-command move on others in my support group (I haven't shared who my MO is there as they seem all very cozy w this same MO even though they are ALL having massive SEs and horrid times with same.)
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Thanks for the invite I have be done with radiation since Oct Is it normal to have your breast feel like leather? Hope all is well .
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lynneia, Are you still using your creams? My nipple is alittle leathery but the breast is fine. 0
