Radiation recovery
Comments
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I am so badly swollen at the donut shop. If I walk a couple of steps I am completely out of breath. I called docs office to get an appointment for tomorrow and OMG he is off till May 29. I emailed and asked him if I should go to er or see the doctor covering for him. In a little while Kelly is going to take a photo of my legs so I can email it to my doctor-great idea sab. Both legs because I want him to see that one is twice the size of the other
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Kate, Sab and Janis - I may have been a little dehydrated. I have been fighting that since rads. Do not know why. I do drink a lot of water. I know the fumes have been affecting me so I really think it was a combo of both. I really hate that I let the contractor put all that glue down there in that room but it is too late now. I am going to talk to him tomorrow about the windows being wide open and not just cracked. I also want to do some research on what he used down there. I never had anxiety attacks before. Not fun. I thought it was a heart attack at first but have learned to wait a bit before I call 911. I have been in bed most of the day but did get up for water and food. I even went outside and fed the birds and squirrels. If it continues I will get it checked out but I am glad I was not alone when it happened.
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Kate _ I am so sorry about your legs. Darn it I know what it is to be out of breath. You need to see someone before the 29th. Time to go home and hang the legs over the sofa. I hope you feel better.
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Hi Bunkie,
So sorry that you are feeling bad, and have been in bed all day.
I am going to definitely have to get an answer tomorrow. It is worse today, because my size 8 shoe is barely on my foot. I will have to buy shoes a size larger tomorrow
Hugs,
Kate
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Hi Kingjr, good to hear from you and celebrate your 1 year cancer free. I also don't know a thing about fibroadenomas, but do (of course) have a few general suggestions. 1st is I see you ended up having DCIS. My understanding of DCIS is that it's Stage 0 cancer, in that it really hasn't "morphed" into cancer yet. Some do, some don't but because the docs don't know which will change, they treat it like it is a cancer. 2nd is, are you taking any hormone treatment like Arimidex or Tamoxifen? That will protect you from cancer, or any cells trying to wander around your body. Also, did you have any lymph nodes checked? If they were clear, then this DCIS hasn't wandered around your body. Which isn't to say you don't possibly have an entirely separate cancer in the other breast. But if its been there 9 years, it sure has no intention of becoming cancer at this point. So, maybe one of these ideas will help you think about this. I do like the suggestion of finding and talking with a breast surgeon whom you trust and perhaps your radiologist (the one reading your mammos). Good luck.
Janis, so glad to hear the good news about the scope. It's nice to not have anything major wrong, but do hope they can settle all this indigestion. There's got to be something they can do about this. I attended the pocket party and you might have noticed the very loud cheering when you got the result. Has anyone done anything about that knee yet? About time for the MRI isn't it? Sometimes I think your doctor is entirely too conservative. Like when he treated you for your LE by insisting you take several rounds of antibiotics instead of letting you see the LE therapist. Just sayin...
Sab, I didn't walk far today, just 2 miles, but I spent 3 hours scraping the paint on the house. That must count for something!0 -
Sew, that's a great walk, and you probably got more "upper body" workout on that paint scraping than I had at the gym today!
Janis, I know that knee is driving you crazy (and your fur babies too.) Now that you've gotten some peace of mind about the stomach issues I hope you can get some good news about the knee.
Bunkie, My RO told me to drink more than usual during and after rads (and eat protein and rest.) One of the techs told me to imagine that I had gone in the sun for too long and had a nasty sunburn. But instead of staying in the shade the next day I had to go and lay in the sun again. And again. That made sense to me, and gave me a way to think about rads. As for your anxiety attack, better safe than sorry. Don't wait too long if you are experiencing alarming symptoms.
The same goes for you Kate! It is only the 16th! 2 weeks seems unacceptable to wait. I'm sure he has someone covering for him.
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Kate, I second SAB again, all doctors have someone covering them, your doctor's office should be be able to give you the contact info.
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Kate my sister hasn't got any real different advice until you know the cause of the edema. She did say your doctor could prescribe a water pill such as Lasix. It depends on the severity of the swelling. Elevate, elevate and more elevate when it is bad. Compression stockings also may be very helpful. I know it is difficult to be inactive, but try not to overdo it. It is common to be short of breath as your veins are not circulating properly. Lying down and elevating is still the best thing to do. She is reluctant to give any advice without knowing more of course. Make sure to get your doctor on board though. Ask specifically about meds and stockings Kate. You should not have to suffer so much with this.
Bunkie try to keep hydrated, you know how important that is. I hope you can get some resolution to all the toxins from that basement. Sigh.......it must be difficult being exposed to that all the time. Do get out and just breathe some fresh air. Big, deep gulps maybe every hour or so, get out and stretch a bit and enjoy that fresh air.
Sab I promote you to Exercise Guru. Keep cheering us on! As soon as I get this knee thing figured out I am back to pounding the pavement. I am so out of shape it is ridiculous. You and Sew can co-manage!
Sew, had not seen you for a bit so it was nice to see you post. I am thrilled with the test results and hope the combination of the meds works. That house painting sure is work but hopefully rewarding.
Oh by the way, pocket party was terrific. Thanks everyone. I haven't had chicken fajitas in years. Not to mention a margarita. Okay I had two.......hehehehe. Sure had a great time. Guacamole was awesome!
Welcome back King and congrats on this special anniversary. I think Sew gave you some great information. I hope the DCIS won't travel, and having rads is extra insurance.
Thanks all for being in my pockets this morning.
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Sab and Suzannah Thanks for your support, and you are right this is unacceptable. I need help ASAP. I just emailed a photo of my foot and leg to doc. I think he might be out of town. I have not heard from him, with emails sent, since yesterday afternoon.
Janis, I don't think my doctor wants me to have a water pill, but I will ask. Many side effects with water pills. Thank you so much for asking.So glad you enjoyed your pocket party, and all is well.
xoxo,
Kate
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Hope your going to the doc soon Kate.That swelling is out of control.
Janis I'm glad your procedure went ok but sorry for your hernia.Versed is fun isn't it.I always crack everyone up when there wheeling me away and I'm making comments like I'm floating on the ceiling!!
Sab, maybe you could be my trainer.We are doing the race for the cure Susan G Komen in June and I am really out of shape.19 of my fellow co workers are walking with my family and I.
King, I also had DCIS but There was a fibroid in the Breast is that the same?
They told me it was stage 2 grade 3 .I don't know how that can be if Dcis is supposed to be grade 0.And they said the cancer was inside or next to the fibroid.If I hadn't found that Lump it could of been missed.0 -
Thanks for your support Josie
Even though I am feeling miserable I am so stoked for the American Idol finale tonight. It starts in 39 minutes here. I am so much praying for Kree. Will be very disappointed if she loses
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Josie, you're right, stage 2 grade 3 doesn't sound like DCIS at all. Maybe you had both kinds? I know mine was IDC, but there was some DCIS also...as in some of the tumor was still in the duct. It's all strange to me. I'm just glad it's gone.
April , how ya doing with the quit smoking campaign? Still on the wagon I hope. It should start getting easier about now, as in it doesn't occupy all your waking thoughts. How's the kitty doing?
Also, Josie, good for you to be doing the Komen walk. It will be fun to have so many in your party. A friend wants me to walk with her in the Avon walk in October, but it's 26 miles in 2 days which is way beyond me I'm afraid.0 -
Just heard from doc. Thank God he is not out of town after all. He can not see me till May 29. I think I told you that he is one of several best MO's in all of Los Angeles. His schedule is booked solid until then, and he is so booked that he can't see emergencies. When you go for an appointment you have to wait an hour or even an hour and a half, because he is so booked, and his appointments always go longer. He said he was going to make a lymph massage referral for me. He thinks that will help, so thank you so much BROOKSIDE. He said Lasix or another water pill won't help. He said I should his next available appointment which is May 29. I was scheculed for June 14 so at lease May 29 is two weeks earlier.
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Kate, my husband is a surgeon, and has never heard of a doctor who,can't see emergencies....doesn't he have a colleague who can see you?
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Suzzanah no he doesn't. I think my doctor does not think this is an emergency. In his last email he said the cat scans ruled out all of the dangerous possibilities. Thanks so much for your support
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Kate, I'm glad you heard from the doc and have had those tests. Reading between the lines, it does seem as though your doc is not worried about this swelling and may well be expecting it as he has explained in the past about the war going on in your body between the cancer cells and the chemo drugs. I guess this means you'll have to be good and not do as much walking and shopping but keep that leg elevated as he says instead. Hope you've got some good books.....
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Sorry I messed up on my last post My stage is 0 but my grade was 2.I just read my path report again to be sure It said something about the DCis involving a sclerosing papillary lesion.Whatever the heck that is.And King it did say It was a fibroadenoma also.
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Hi Ladies. I hopped out of the pocket party as soon as I knew Janis was in the clear. I went downtown with my granddaughter for a pre-graduation beauty appointment and a late lunch with her and a friend of hers. On my way home I stopped and bought three lovely long summery skirts. My daughter has been telling me my jeans are getting too loose. I thought I would take Kate's lead and try some skirts. So comfy!
While at the mall I got a call telling me my dad was just taken to the hospital. He has a pre- cancerous blood condition and he was dizzy and having an abnormal ECG. He was admitted and we have two specialists coming in for a consult tomorrow. He is probably going to have a transfusion, and hopefully that will help him feel stronger, Long day!
Janis, glad things look not too scary in your upper GI, and they have options for treatment. Kate hopefully the lymph massage will help. SAB you are motivating me! BUNKIE, I do think you might be dealing with panic. Your description sounds all too familiar. You can't make a mistake getting it checked out however. It will reassure you, and sometimes that is a good thing.
Gotta sleep fast so I can get to the hospital early. Kate - elevate. That rhymes and is a good reminder. Hoping the swelling in those legs goes down soon.0 -
Janis, exercise guru is too much responsibility for me. I will settle for shift supervisor for now! (I try to get out most mornings, so I'll take that shift for now...but I lay down too much in the afternoon for any 24 hour guru action.)
Josie, I admire you for walking the Komen. As much as I disagree with their politics, I do think it is quite a personal accomplishment. I had a friend train for that a few years ago...she said they offered a lot of help. Do they give you a training schedule? Having friends around you will be fun and motivating.
Sew, Avon is a challenge too. I think you have to know about it early enough to really work up to it over months.
Kate, it is really hard for all of us (if you will allow me to speak for us) to see you suffer and that's why we question your doctor. Of course he has the data, and you trust him and so we will have to be patient along with you and hope that you can rest and get some relief in the interim.
Tomorrow is my "day off" from the gym, and I will enjoy a lovely morning walk with a good friend and her dog before coming home and attacking my horrible house. I am toying with the idea of visiting my dd the elder this weekend...I need a dose of my funny sweet child. I hope you guys are making fun plans!
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Gigil, i'm so sorry abot the scare with your dad. I do hope they can figure out a course of action for him tomorrow. Wear one of your new skirts, and we'll jump in your pockets to help give you strength to get thru the day. try to get some sleep tonight. Hugs
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Oh Gigi sorry about your dad! I hope he feels stronger tomorrow.
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Thanks ladies. I will keep you posted. It kind of sucks to be having such a rare fun day and get some alarming news. Luckily the mall was halfway to the hospital. I will wear roomy pockets for all of you, But we won't be serving hospital food!
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Hi Sew,
You are so smart reading between the lines. I don't think doc is worried either, because of the war going on with my cancer, and my chemo treatments. However, he ordered cat scans yesterday to rule out dangerous possibilities. Now that those are ruled out, thank God, he definitely believes what he thought in the first place, with more chemo this will improve. He told me tonight that without chemo this would be worse
Thanks so much for your support.
xoxo,
kate
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Hi Gigil,
So sorry your dad was admitted to the hospital. Praying that he will be better soon.
Glad you enjoyed the afternoon shopping with your granddaughter.
Too much on your plate-so sorry!
Hugs,
Kate
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Hi Sab,
I do understand that you all care about me, and don't want me to suffer, and that is why you question doc. I am glad that you all do question doc, because it will keep him on his toes. Also you guys think of more stuff that I don't even know about that could help. He never mentioned a lymph massage until I asked him about a lymph therapist, which I believe Brookside recommended. Keep in mind that a lymph therapist won't cure this, but it will make me more comfortable. Sometimes doc may not think about the smaller things, because he wants to rule out dangerous possibilities. He did recommend compression stockings almost immediately, but I turned then down, because I thought it would make me old lol. Now that the swelling is so miserable I will have to buy them, and feel old. Feeling old is better than feeling swollen. I am also glad you all help me keep doc on his toes, because of what my awful internist did to me
A day off without exercise for you, so hard to believe
I hope you do go and see your funny sweet chilld. Go and enjoy!
xoxo,
Kate
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Gigil,
Definitely I will be in your pocket. Praying dad will be out of the hospital soon. Absolutely no hospital food for your pocket party. What are your favorite dishes?
Hugs,
Kate
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Wow! I like Japanese food a lot, like tempura veggies, and foods done on the grill Japanese style, like chicken and veggies with rice. I think that is my favorite type of food. I haven't thought about that for a long time. I used to love things like chili, lasagna, tacos, burritos. I have so changed my ways when it comes to food. I really try to keep it clean, eat vegetarian several nights a week, and when I do eat anything it is chicken and fish mostly. We have a wonderful fish up here in Minnesota called the Walleye Pike. It is so deliciious served almond crusted with a light butter/lemon sauce. Fruits have become my favorites too.
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Terribly disappointed that Kree lost. I am praying she out sells Candace. I love her single " All cried out" , and I don't care for Candace's Beautiful. Sure I am glad that her self esteem inproved, but I don't like the song or her voice. I am hoping that this turns out to be Clay's second to Rueben, and Katharine Mcfee's second to Taylor Hicks when the second place singer was better than the first.
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GiGi, so sorry to hear about your dad. Hoping the transfusion helps. Hard time for you, I will be thinking of you both. How is your dad handling this?
Kate, you make a lot of sense. It does seem that while your condition is awfully uncomfortable it is not dangerous, you doctor ran a lot of tests, is being careful, and really knows his stuff and knows you. I just hate to see you suffer.0 -
Bunkie, I know it's still cold there (it is here as well), so you don't want to leave the windows open just yet, but can you get a hold of one of those exhaust fans that slide between the sill and the bottom of the window, and leave it turned on high? With the other windows cracked, you'll get fresh air in, icky air out, 24 hours/day.
You episode at the grocery store sounds like a vertigo attack to me--the thumpedy thump heart rate is the "tell;" as you probably already know, it is always present during a classical vertigo attack. And we all need a good cry from time to time.
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