Radiation recovery
Comments
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Kate, sweetie, I sure hope you are doing a little better today! I know you must be so miserable stuck in the hospital again. Prayers and hugs to you.
Josie, hope your date was fun! We stayed home due to another snow storm which dumped another 4 inches on top of the 20 we had earlier in the week! So ready for spring. As for DCIS, I know people do not understand what it even is. The words "pre-cancer" are often put on it by even physicians when in fact it is cancer but it has not morphed one more step so it can't break out of the milk duct. Most IDC begins as DCIS. Mammograms have been finding it much earlier so that is why that study makes me scratch my head. Those who think DCIS is over-treated feel that since some does not go the xtra step to become invasive, why treat it all? Well, because they don't yet KNOW which ones will go on to become invasive and which will just stay DCIS. Ugh....who knows! I just know I did it all. Rads, AI and following up with doctors every three months in some capacity.
GiGiL, I work for a private non-profit and the population that I deal with are the unemployed who are very high on finally being able to afford insurance as many of them have not had any medical care in several years due to cost. We had to attend two seminars on the ACA so we could answer basic questions from the clients we serve and I went one step further and read a lot more on my own because I was very confused by this legislation and like many others, I thought we would get sub-par care after it passed and was implemented. What I found from my OWN interpretation is that the fear I had was unfounded and that most of us will have the same care we are used to and for those who had nothing, it is going to be a God-send. That is all I have to say about this and for me it is NOT political but practical from my view point although being a social worker type I can claim liberal leanings for sure in my political points of view.
I don't think anyone was out of line on this line of conversation by the way. I think this is a great thread filled with smart women who have opinions and we voice them in a respectful way. I for one never took offense to anything said. I just wanted people to know the study was Canadian so I felt it was not commissioned to save money on mammos here in the US. But, wyo has a good point. Once the news is out, insurance companies jump on the information to their own benefit. CT where I live was the first to outlaw drive-by mastectomies where women were sent home within hours of breast removal when they have barely had time to learn how to care for he drains or know if they had an infection! Shameful practice that is illegal in CT and I believe many other states now.
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Joan - I used to collect ethnic cook books. African American/ Native Anerican etc and I loved the Sandra Lee/Paula Dean stuff. I also have Mr Food and tons of Crock pots ones. Then I also have all the ones from my travels. What really surprised me was Southern Living. I had about 12 of their cookbooks at one time. Started to read them and noticed they had a lot of the same recipies. So I donated all but a few of those. Like you I will never get through them all. I used to try to cook 2 recipies out of each book. Living alone I will never do it. So today I am going to go through 5 more. I seem to get to do 5 at a time. Let me say I really do not like cookbooks without photos either. Maybe not a picture for every recipie but some please. Mom only had 1 cookbook. Betty Crocker the big plaid one with 3 rings but she had a drawer full of cut out stuff saved and I went through it all.You are right. Gutter Guards are a dumb idea. It is much cheaper to hire someone to clean out the gutters once a year or twice than all the water problems crated by that idea.
70charger - Thanks I will mention that to my house guy this spring. Seems a shame to have to mess with the roof that is still good when the flatroof will be the one needing work come spring.
I woke up this morning not being able to bend or move my big toe on my left foot. It has a knot in the joint and is swollen. It also hurts more when I bend down to pick up something. Not sure what bending does to a big toe but my body has connected the two. Looks like an Advil day for me and will keep it raised. I have a rhumatoligist appt Thursday. Just in time. I know I better not hear "raise your steroids" come out of her mouth or you will read about me on the national news. Woman goes bonkers and drags Dr out of second story window.
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Ah Bunkie, so sorry you are having pain. Now that would be the new "roid rage" hahaha~ as in "I don't want anymore roids" xoxo Feel better chica!
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Hi everyone.
I wanted to chime in about that study. I first saw the report on the news and was appalled.
The other thing is that if women don't get mammograms and wait until they find a lump, then that will more likely mean a mastectomy or worse. I had a lumpectomy with my grade 3 DCIS which was much less traumatizing than having to have a mastectomy. It doesn't seem that quality of life was taken into consideration.
Dawn
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April, yes we had fun on our date night.We went out to dinner at Long Horn steakhouse.It was good good and good company.We have been married for like 22yrs and although we talk all the time at home we get a couple hours alone and really don't talk very much.Sometimes it's hard to find things to talk about that are neutral and don't get us upset.I mean talking about work is a big no no.I made that mistake at our anniversary dinner and it raised my his blood pressure almost immediately.We both feel the same about our jobs but his is complicated by working for his family.He feels loyalty to his father no matter how he's treated by his sister.Sometimes silence is golden!! My youngest stayed at her cousins over night.So we had more alone time when we got home.My son is on his lap top a lot and mainly stays in his Room.
I'll bet your tired of winter.My sister lives in Connecticut too and she said about her storm is dropping more snow.Sounds like we're on the same page on the DCIS.Probably since we've both been through it.
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Hi y'all
Kate - glad you are in good hands, but sorry for the setback. Your team will resolve the swelling, give you game plan, and get you back in your feet. We will try and control our pocket giggles...know we are sending healing hugs!
Josie - Happy Date Night! Good to find time together...valentine for over 22 yrs:). Fingers&toes crossed for Thursday...ovaries beware!
Bunkie - ugh rain gutters...ares are full of leaves...nope not going to do it would not be prudent...Chargers right hire someone...yum the carrot cake...I'm craving dark organic chocolate ...should curb the sugar lust!
SAB - wow, your edd did amazing & so beautiful...proud happy kisses xoxo:) no wonder I need a sugar fix...what a presentation yummmm
April & Brookside & Dawn - agree...mammo found my c, radiologist was so excited about proximity to chest wall, my interior margin was less than BS wanted...so I'm good with annual mammos...thank you.
Susannah - hope your son got back to the home safely and you had special time with him:)
Joan - curl up and FaceTime those grand kids...soon it will be SpringBreak and you will be buzy making memories.
GiGil - how's the FL sunshine? Beach flip flops, golf, tooth, hubby...hope you are enjoying the get a way time!
Our road trip
hubby has another hernia...so back to CA after his crown...just waiting to see if they can move up date...GRRR . He saw surgeon in Jan, but he dismissed...2 Drs looked this week say op now...always something...so a months delay. Back to gym, dance, yoga, and tai chi 
))Sew&Janis - will join you in SABs kitchen for Top Chef...:)
Shout out to all
(((Hugs)))
Cindy
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BCDeb, here's hoping the long weekend gives your tummy a chance to calm down. You do get Monday off from rads? Or do you?
Bunkie, do you suspect every other part of your body has had its turn to give you angst, and now only your toe is left? What an annoyance. Fingers crossed for a quick return to normal, as it would probably hurt to cross toes.
April, thanks for studying ObamaCare. Things are changing, however. My MRI ln 2012 was completely covered; last year it had a copay of $400. One section of my eye exam was not covered, and last year it had been. nobody's suggesting that I not have these exams, but let's face it--I'm going to think a bit more before scheduling either. I'm particularly annoyed about these surprises because I deliberately squeezed them into December, in order to take advantage of my having met my deductible (And then some!).
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thank you cindy! Thomas got back to,his group home before the snow began, we did our shopping as the first flakes began to fall, and we're warm and safe by the time the snow got heavy. We had a great time with our son who is the sweetest guy on earth.
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I think the discussion is necessary and I think everyone has a right to their point of view- no stepped on toes
Not sure how its possible to keep up with all the changes to this legislation because it does not look at all like what was passed originally. With no out of pocket cap decision its possible that co-pays and deductibles for service will be higher for the subscriber as Brookside describes. I am also watching carefully the cost and issues with chronic/pre-existing conditions- some of the drugs that are critical in treating chronic conditions like MS- those drugs are being talked about as not on "formulary" (meaning a list of approved/covered medications). These drugs can easily run 4k/month and keep people out of wheelchairs- I am still waiting to see how that all shakes out-
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Brookside, I'm with you on the change to co-pays but mine seem to be related to having to go on Medicare...guess I got too old
Used to be no copay for specialist type things like x-ray and hospital and out patient. But now every time I turn around they want $40 here for the hospital, and $25 for this or that. I liked my old coverage I'll tell you that. Just $15 for the dr. And that was it...nothing more ever. I don't even want to think about what ends up on the non-formulary prescription coverage.I too like the discussion about mammos. Seems at least we are all in agreement...too bad they didn't study the women who found their cancer via one. But currently I'm not worried about a change any time soon...they don't do anything quickly.....
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April I agree about insurance companies. As soon as something good comes along, such as some of the beneficial aspects of Obamacare, insurance company analysts will find a way to make a profit another way. They have been doing it for years. Why would they stop now? Watch and see, they will fund all sorts of loopholes, and Obamacare will get the blame. Great discussion about mammograms.
Bunkie, could it be gout?
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To be clear, my experience was not about copays, which are exactly the same as last year (zero for the MRI, $40 for the eye guy). It was the newly uncovered portion that surprised me. While the reimbursed amount (the amount agreed with the insurance carrier) was less than the billed amount in both years, in 2012, the patient responsibility was still zero. In 2013, it was $400. As for the eye guy, in 2012, determination of refraction (I guess this means lens prescription) was totally covered, but totally uncovered in 2013.
The issue here is that copays and deductibles are upfront. We know what they are. These little surprises were hidden until the claims were processed. If I have run into two such issues, I cannot help but wonder how many of these little secret whammos are out there.
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actually, Brookside, that's what my charges seem to have been too ...they just end up calling all of it "patient responsibility". I'm coming to love (not) that term...
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brookside, Suzannah, Josie,sab, Bunkie,joan april, wyo cindy. and, gigil, thanks for the support. An infectious disease doctor joked my team today. Doc is coming tomorrow
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Kate, it sure sounds as though they are taking very good care of you. Are you getting any rest with that whole parade of doctors.coming by to see you? Does the infectious disease doctor have different ideas? Are you any more comfortable. I don't suppose you had a chance to gather all your go-to-hospital stuff (except the princess warrior sparkle coat), but I'm sure you're still the most glamorous patient on the floor.
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What I noticed about the co pays is that last year I was billed for the diff. This year they want it up front. Like I went to my dds. They used to just bill me the difference between what they paid and what I had to pay after it went through the process. Last year they started asking for the balance when I was still in the office. I knew there would be a balance but did not know I had to pay it that day.
I have noticed a lot of changes with the medicare. It started last year for me. Can not wait to see what they have changed this year. Also my secondary insurance is through my company I retired from. They used to pick up a larger portion. Now they only want to cover what medicare chooses to cover. Thank God I had a seperate cancer policy when I got the cancer. They covered a lot of that total bill.
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Kate, glad to hear their taking good care of you.We wouldn't have it any other way.
Keep us posted.
Just a little note, my hubby knew I was pretty much caught up at work and so he encouraged me to let them know this .I knew they would probably take away my Extra hours but I also knew that if they found out it would not be in my favor.Well my office manager was all over it.She said now that I'm caught up I can't come in on Tuesdays or Thursday w/o Her permission..So back to square 1 I guess..
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Josie, actually I think it's a good thing that your told your boss. This way she can learn to trust you, which she seems to have trouble with, and you're free to go to her when you get behind because she knows you won't "milk" the hours. This could be a win win situation. At least I'd like to think it is.
Bunkie, I think you and I have the same secondary insurance, as I'm retired from PAC Bell / ATT/ SBC or whoever they're calling themselves at this time, and yes, when I went on Medicare, the insurance started covering only the Medicare amount or something. Perhaps I'll spend some time this year trying to figure it out. I really don't want a $400 MRI like Brookside if I ever need one. Oh, and I'm sure it didn't have anything to do with the affordable care act....this started last year in January ...
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Sew, yeah I know that it is probably good in a way.I just guess it was kind of a disappointment since I thought maybe it might be permanent.And she was kind of rude to me about it like just her attitude.
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Josie, you most definitely have a very difficult boss. I think she's in the wrong profession. However, given all the cut backs your department has gone thru, I'm not surprised that she can't bring you back for those hours permanently but at least she's willing to authorize them on an as needed basis....at least I hope that's her plan.
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I just feel like her little puppet sometimes.
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yep, but I bet more than half the people who work for her feel the same way. Except its good you don't compare notes with the other employees as it will surely get back to her. Ah, the joys of working!
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hi Merilee. I am new to forum. I have just finished all 25 radiation treatments. Feeling burnt and sore tight skin. Any tips to ease pains......?????
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hi Emma12, congrats on finishing! Good for you. Let the healing begin! I think we all felt much the same upon finishing rads. I'd recommend you continue with whatever creams you're using, and do them at least 3 times a day. Many of us found that pure aloe gel worked great, and when I ended up burned I loved using Calendula Cream made by Boiron. You can get it from Amazon. Keep up the extra protein for a few weeks too, and lots and lots of water too. You will continue to have periods of fatigue, if you're getting them, for awhile too, but they will get much easier. Be sure to rest as needed and allow your body time to heal. It, and you, have been thru lots and it will take time to adjust to the fact that you're no longer in active treatment. Be sure to check back in here or on any of the other forums, the gals here are all wonderful, caring women and we understand what you've been thru.
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HELLO and thank you for your reply. I don't feel so much tired from the radiation but mostly from the kids hahahahah. I am peeling around the radiation area and was wondering should I keep moisturising or try a different cream like bio oil...thank you for all the advice this forum is wonderful. I felt so alone. I have also posted another issue if you can find it under emma12.
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Josie, I"m so excited that you're all caught up. That must be a huge stress off your back. Now the trick is to figure out how to stay de-stressed. Plese do not let yourself get even a little behind without letting your bosses know. Remember that it is their job to be sure you have what you need (hours, for instance) to do your job. Maybe you'll just need an extra hour or two here and there, or maybe you can work out a regular two hours/week, but, as Sew indicated, working with your bosses will get you benefits beyond the extra hours.
Welcome, Emma. I'm so happy radiation is behind you. Please call or email your RO, or simply drop by (my center was set up so anyone could see an RO at any time) so that they can give you just-for-you recommendations. They know you're not done when the last treatment is history, and fully expect to hear from and/or see you.
Also, I don't know if you've read back on this (or any of the rads threads), but do be aware that rads related issues other than skin things may arise. Your RO will be helpful, but here you'll be sure to find someone who personally has experienced whatever arises and can "sister" you through it.
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Hi y'all
Emma - Welcome and congrats on completing rads! Ooo who Happy Dance! Be sure and care for your skin...it keeps changing...emu oil, vit e, aloe, jeans cream, your RO will know. Take a no c vacation! Make the subject off limits and focus on getting back into your groove. Journal how you are feeling before HT...I took a one month vacation...helped me find my self..also read moving beyond BC...tx over what next, go blow some bubbles, wiggle toes in grass, hug those kiddies, and find time with hubby...make your heart and spirit soar! All this is was is a shock on system, whew out of the trenches PTSD big time...remember you are beautiful! Look in the mirror beautiful:))) see you heart
Josie - work work work...ugh! We need to take your office out behind the barn...really work place hostile environment ....bring on Thursday...got this!
Kate - fingers&toes crossed team brings their best game and you've turned the corner...feel better soon:)
Time to get ready to take hubby for crown. Hoping to here surgeon is able to move up hernia date. Rushing to find files, boxes with tax info...pressing on. Got a few loose ends than back we go...bright side will be there for GS 3 rd Bday...no FaceTime...real time
Shout out to all
(((Hugs)))
Cindy
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Brookside and Cindy Thanks for the support .
Hubby is sick in bed today.He has that stomach bug I think
Luckily it happened after his orthopedic surgeons appt.He tore something on the job and his boss (sister) didn't want him to admit it was work related.But we did so it's on her now or workmanship comp.He may end up having surgery .It depends on what the Arthro MRI says.
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Welcome Emma. Not much to add that has not been said just wanted to welcome you. We have a few newbies that I forgot to welcome also.
Sew - yes we do have the same I bet. It is the same company and I retired for out in Ca. Lots of changes from last year and that was medicare. We have some more coming next year.
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Kate - Hope the doc gave you some good news.
I went to the new kidney specialist today. Napraoligist or something like that. Really learned a lot about my kidney stones. Some I already knew but one thing stuck out. I have been doing 24hour urine collections for the last 3 years and usually they are good. 3 drs have looked at them and said they were great. She noticed that the last year since rads I had been chronically dehydrated by my urine volume. Really shocked me because I sip all day but I guess not enough. So now I have to learn to drink more. Funny how only a kidney specialist would see that.
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