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Radiation recovery

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Comments

  • SAB
    SAB Member Posts: 1,121
    edited April 2013

    Cindy I'm only stepping on Susannah so that I can peek over the top and say YYAAAAAAAAAAY! to you!

    image alt="" width="206" height="244" />

  • SAB
    SAB Member Posts: 1,121
    edited April 2013

    Oh poopity, the image didn't like me.  Here's another try:

  • rmlulu
    rmlulu Member Posts: 1,501
    edited April 2013

    Thanks SAB! This is a good week several rad warriors finish this week:))) yippee

  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 1,939
    edited April 2013

    Hi Suzannah and Josie,

    You are both so darling, and give me so much support. Suzannah I will definitely buy you donuts, and Josie I will get you a bagel sandwich too. Hopefully I will feel up to going tomorrow, if not as soon as I can.

    Hugs, Kate

  • joan811
    joan811 Member Posts: 1,980
    edited April 2013

    I am also hyper-sensitive especially to electronics, cell phones, wireless laptop, etc.  I feel very weird if I spend too much time around these items...
    I don't remember feeling the tingle but I remember thinking about it a lot during treatment.  I do remember heat and minor swelling of breast tissue.  
    I am sure they can interrupt the treatment at any time, but if the patient is still, then it is automated by the computer program. 

    RMCindy, congrats on crossing the finish line.
    For you -- Happy Dancin' girls gone wild! 

  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 1,939
    edited April 2013

    Hi Cindy,

    I will buy you donuts and bagels. If I am feeling up to it I will buy them tomorrow. If not as soon as I can.

    Geez we have a lot of similarities, and now I find out that our birthdays are only 3 days apart too. We are both cancers, and that is one of the reasons we get along so well. I feel like a princess on my birthday too.I actually almost always celebrate the whole week of my birthday.

    Thank you so much for still being in my pocket. Tomorrow is a big day for me to see if I can have minimal side effects Tues, Wed. Thurs. and Fri. My doctor said for sure I will be ok by Sat. I so much want to feel no side effects. and having you, and my other bc sisters in my pockets will hopefully help to keep my se minimal. Who is Susan? I thought Sab was Susan. You said Sab and Susan fall out of my pockets lol. Is Susan mostlysew? I have forgotten. In any case I want Sab, and Susan to try to stay in my pockets, because I love their support too.

    Hugs,

    Kate

  • SAB
    SAB Member Posts: 1,121
    edited April 2013

    I think we have a Susan and a Suzannah. Yes, SAB is a Susan!

  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 1,983
    edited April 2013

    Good Morning ladies - forgive me for not doing individual shout outs but my weird one week rads kicked my butt for sure. I am sooo tired. Other than that, side effects are minimal. A little tightness in the skin and some pink color. Hydrating and lubing worked - so far!

    Lynn, I felt the rads on the first trmt and every single one after that. I felt a kind of "interior jumbling of molecules" for lack of a better way to describe it and my breast felt a bit warmer than the other one...and still does. So, you are not losing your mind.

    Cindy, high five on being done!

    Kate, hoping that today you find yourself feeling better than expected after your first chemo session. Sounds like it was a long day and I hope you rest today.

    Ok, gonna get in the shower. Going to attempt to work today although doubtful I will last the entire day. We shall see...

    Hugs to all!

  • SusannahW
    SusannahW Member Posts: 375
    edited April 2013

    Happy birthday RMlulu! Your note gave me a smile.



    Kate, let us know how u do today.

    I'm off to work.

  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 1,939
    edited April 2013

    Hi April and Suzannah,

    Suzannah thank you so much for asking how I am doing and thanks so much for your support

    April I am sorry that you are feeling tired. Thank you so much for your support

    OMG I am so blessed. I feel good enough to go out and buy the donuts and bagels for everyone and a bagel sandwich for Josie.

    The only problem I am having right now is constipation, and that is because I didn't follow my doctors orders. He wanted me to take Miralax twice yesterday. Because I never have been to this chemo hospital before I didn't know what the restroom set-ups would be like so I didn't take a morning dose. So now I am having problems, but it should be cleared up by tonight. I still feel good enough to go to the donut shop, and I am going there in about 2 hours.

    The nausea meds are working YEAH! Thanks to your prayers and support.

    I spoke to someone today who had breast cancer and chemo. According to them I am not out of the woods yet. They say the second and third day after is the worst. For  me that would be tomorrow and Thursday. I sure hope this is wrong, and that I won't feel nausea then just as I don't feel it now.

    I hope everyone is having a happy Tuesday

    Hugs,

    Kate

  • SusannahW
    SusannahW Member Posts: 375
    edited April 2013

    Yay kate! One day post chemo down. Sorry about the constipation, but it seems u have that under control. I don't know if the person who told u day 3 and 4 are the worst is right, but so far you've weathered everything, there's no reason to think that the next2 days will be awful. Keep your chin up kiddo!

  • SAB
    SAB Member Posts: 1,121
    edited April 2013

    Kate, I'm so glad you feel OK today.  

    April, Honor your body, it knows best.  I guess since the rads were more intense it is natural that the fatigue might be too. Keep babying yourself with rest, hydration, protein and lotions.

    Who else is finishing this week?  I would hate to miss a celebration.

    I had a "situational" interview today.  Has anyone ever had one?  They set up an unlikely scenario: "If aliens landed here from outer space and wanted to make a donation, how would you take care of the tax reporting?" About half the questions were like that.  The other half were asking for specific examples of times I had used the relevant skill set:  "Tell us the worst business crisis that ever happened to you (I've been working in different industries for 25 years and had lots to choose from) and specifically how you handled the situation." So you answer, then you leave and get in your car and you think of a MUCH better example.  Oh well!

  • BUNKIE10
    BUNKIE10 Member Posts: 670
    edited April 2013

    Kate - YEAH!!! Donuts!! I was hoping you were ok. Enjoy.

    SAB - I hate those situational things. I was a training manager for ATT and they had us all up in Northern Cali for a conference. They asked us that stuff and then they sat around and watched us answer. UGH. Bet you did well.

    Everyone - I went to the thyroid dr today and he said he was comfortable with the benign results we got from the biopsy but would watch it to see if it got bigger. If it does then we will try again. He was rather quick today. Told me my vitamin D was very low and I needed to take a supplement. He will ask for some more tests and then order the pills. My disease always will show low Vit D when it is active. I did not want to burst his specialist bubble but we will see what the other tests bring. Last time I took Vit D when it was low I ended up in the hospital with kidney issues. Like I said we will see. That is the problem with specialists. They only want to deal with what they specialize in. Go figure. He said my blood work for my thyroid did not look bad, so we will chalk it up to radiation side affects and watch it. Another visit in 3 mos. Still does not explain my twitching eyes, jitters, vertigo, muscle weakness and stomach issues. Well have a cupcake for me. On to the next dr. I spun the bottle and next up is a gastro dr.

  • SusannahW
    SusannahW Member Posts: 375
    edited April 2013

    Bunkie, Are stomach issues the new normal? Mine's been off since radiation. Colonoscopy showed nothing wrong. Maybe normal aging...? Anyone else?

  • RunFree16
    RunFree16 Member Posts: 649
    edited May 2013

    Kate, so far so good!  I'm thrilled that you haven't had nausea yet and your first chemo day went well.  I was off this site for a couple of busy days and I missed talk of something I love:  donuts!  Mmmmmm!  Just about anything at Dunkin Donuts for me please--New Englander here--blueberry cake, pumpkin, butternut, lemon filled....    Anyway I hope your nausea doesn't kick in.  Breast cancer chemo has to be a different brew from what you're getting, and everyone's different anyway.  Fingers crossed for you!

    Lynn, my target area did feel tingly and prickly today during my boost.  I think I've felt that 3 of the 4 boost days.  Later today I was pretty tired, maybe a bit beyond my normal tired self.  Took a hard nap at 3 just to get the energy to call my insurance company, but I did bounce back.  April, sorry to hear the fatigue hit you.  I've heard that can happen, finish rads and then WHACK.  Cindy, HOORAY for finishing!  Maybe the fatigue will skip you.  I've got 3 more days so I'll be finding out soon too.  My skin is doing well in terms of burns and sensitivity. But I'm itchy, and I insist on scratching (gently)--not always socially appropriate and I definitely can't do it while teaching!  But it comes and goes.

    SAB, my new favorite expletive is "Oh poopity"!  Thank you!

  • BUNKIE10
    BUNKIE10 Member Posts: 670
    edited May 2013

    SasannahW - I guess. Everything bothers it and I was already a mess after gallbladder surgery. I had it down to a science and now it is all off again. Even too much water with food messes it up. Ugh. They are going to look at wheat issues.

  • SusannahW
    SusannahW Member Posts: 375
    edited May 2013

    Bunkie, I'm sorry, sounds rough. It has to be hard to go through gallbladder surgery on top of everything else.I have to hope that things will improve for you, and for me too......tincture of time? I find it hard to adjust to having problems I never had before I had cancer, whether they're related to bc or not.

  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 1,939
    edited May 2013

    I am just leaving the donut shop. I have been here for four hours. I had such a wo nderful time talking to kelly who runs the place that I forgot to post. I didn't read the previous posts after the last one I posted. I will answer any posts about me after I get home. The dozens of donuts are bought, and bagels too, and a bagel sandwich for Josie. I am BLESSED, I have no nausea YEAH. I am a little worried because someone taking chemo said my bad days will be Wed. and Thurs.. But heck I should be feeling ok  with all my bc sisters support, and the magic princess warrior coat. Cancer doesn't know who they are messing with because Of my army of bc sister to back me up. Love, kate

  • gigil
    gigil Member Posts: 916
    edited May 2013

    Bunkie my vitamin D is low also, and my thyroid was very low.  My doctor prescribed vitamin D.  The high dose vitamin D an MD prescribes is D2. and your body converts it to D3.  I always get my prescription filled so as not to annoy my doctor.  Then I go to the vitamin shop and get vitamin D3, which is the right one to take.  Between that and spending as much time as I can in the sun, I am getting the D to climb, slowly but surely.  For the life of me, I cannot understand why doctors don't do more research and figure this out instead of prescribing that high dose D2!  As for my thyroid function it went down the tubes for awhile after the rads.  It is now back in normal range after two increases in dosage.

  • gigil
    gigil Member Posts: 916
    edited May 2013

    Susannah and Bunkie I have had stomach issues since rads as well.  I wake up every morning with a stomach ache, and other times during the day I have problems with a slight nausea.  I use ginger often and I eat frequent small meals.  I have given up on carbonated beverages and red meat.  Both make me miserable.  It has made it easier to lose weight, that is for sure.  More weight to go.

  • gigil
    gigil Member Posts: 916
    edited May 2013

    Bunkie, another thought.  My father had gallbladder surgery and kept having stomach troubles.  Turned out he had some gallstones that had migrated into his liver.  He had two procedures to have them removed (not real major ones) and he was still having trouble.  The third time they inflated the duct a little and another stone popped out.  It was hiding, and it was very lucky they found it.  He improved a great deal after that.  Just something to consider.

  • SusannahW
    SusannahW Member Posts: 375
    edited May 2013

    Tanks Gigil, while I'm sorry to hear of your stomach issues, it does make me feel less alone. I have a lot of heartburn, as well as some stomach pain, and have to eat small meals.

  • gigil
    gigil Member Posts: 916
    edited May 2013

    Kate, yay for a good first day post chemo.  I'll bet you continue to do well.  Those anti-nausea meds work wonders!

  • gigil
    gigil Member Posts: 916
    edited May 2013

    Susannah heartburn here too.  I have to keep the sugar and spice consumption pretty low.  I take way too much antacid, I fear and also use Zantac at least once a day, maybe twice on a bad day.  Too bad too, because maple iced donuts are my favorite!!

  • SusannahW
    SusannahW Member Posts: 375
    edited May 2013

    GiGil, I hadn't realized that sugar aggravated heartburn, I'll have to cut down. I take perscription nexium, but am trying to wean off of it to Zantac, as it is terrible for bones.

  • joan811
    joan811 Member Posts: 1,980
    edited May 2013

    Saying hi...back to grading end of term papers....
    Stay well everyone...and here's to wearing white pants and shoes...tomorrow's May 1st and I think that makes it OK...so tired of black pants, jackets and boots....cold spring here.

  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 1,939
    edited May 2013

    Hi Suzannah,

    Thanks so much for your support. So sweet of you to post for me.

    Hugs,

    Kate

  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 1,939
    edited May 2013

    Hi Sab,

    Thank you so much for your support. I have never been to a situational interview, but I have read about them. Sure it makes sense the the best response would be after the interview, but I bet you did fantastic. Good Luck

    Hugs,

    Kate

  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 1,939
    edited May 2013

    Hi Bunkie,

    I am feeling ok, and I hope you can enjoy the donuts I got for you.

    I am happy that your doctor was comfortable with the benign results, but I wasn't happy about some other stuff. I am so sorry you didn't get all of your issues taken care of with this dr. I hope you can find a better doctor who can help you. 

    I pray that all will be ok with your low vitamin d and that you won't have to go throough a bad ordeal again.

    Gosh God is testing the heck out of you, and I say to God stop enough is enough

    Hugs,

    Kate

  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 1,939
    edited May 2013

    Hi Runfree,

    Thanks for your support and well wishes. You are always so sweet to me, while you are going through so much stuff yourself. I didn't go to Dunkin Donuts. I have a small independent donut shop near my home, and I went there. There donuts are better than Dunkin donuts. I love to support Mom and Pop shops.  I bought you their blueberry cake, and lemon filled donuts. I love lemon filled, and I ate 1. I usually don't have a taste for donuts, but today I did.

    So sorry you are tired and itchy. I was itchy too, and it came and went and finally it went away quicly. I hope the same for you.

    Only 3 more treatment Yeah! My memory is very fuzzy with all of the new things I have to do for chemo etc. So please please remind me when you are finished. I will be in your pocket and supply wine for your party. If you don't drink wine I will supply donuts.

    I love the expletitive poopity too, but since I have had such a nice day I will have too save poopity for when I am aggravated.

    xoxo,

    Kate

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