Radiation recovery
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Lemon, so nice to hear from you.Glad your doing ok and good luck with your upcoming surgery.We will be in your pocket .It's a little way of saying we will be with you in spirit.
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Where to start? I just blinked and look how long the thread has gotten!
Janis, I think you've been carrying around too many cake balls. I hope that's all it is…but I will definitely squeeze in to your pocket. I gained a little weight since going back to work so you guys will have to move over!
Lemon, you sound calm and strong and sure. That's the way to move forward for sure.
Lilyluv and the other new gals (sorry, it was only one page ago but I have no brain left) welcome to the thread and woo too on being done! Ditto on Sew's good advice. Keep taking care of yourself, and congrats.
Hello Kate. Sorry you're having such trouble and discomfort. Feel better warrior princess.
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Oh, heck, RunFree, go for the margarita.
Kate, don't we all have American Express cards in heaven?
Gee, Bunkie. That's concerning. But isn't it wonderful that most of our appointments just result in ruling out the naasty stuff. When do you get to see the eye guy?
I skipped a day or so and don't know if you posted, Cindy? Here's hoping your hubby has good news.
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Josie I am so sorry everyone in your house had to share the flu. Hopefully you are all over it by now and can focus on good health ahead. Really glad to hear your hubby got good results from his MRI.
Sew....sorry the flu jumped state lines and you had to get it too. I hope you are well on your way to saying goodbye to it for good.
Lemon, it is so good to hear from you! Glad everything ok going well so far. I think you are brave going ahead with the surgery and I bet that is a relief. Keep us posted, please.
Bunkie, the vertigo must be awful. I sure hope you have some luck at the visit with the specialist. You really need to catch a break. Sending lots of happy healing thoughts your way.
BC Deb, BIG congrats on finishing rads! Isn't it a great milestone.
Brookside, Gemini, Kate, anyone I forgot, hello to all. Ready for the party Friday? My appointment is at 10:00, I am so glad it is a morning appointment. I doubt I will learn much but you never know. The waiting is really frustrating. The pain is pretty steady and has not improved, so hopefully they can figure something out. I did find a thread on here regarding pain associated with BC. It is a huge myth that you don't feel pain from BC. Some do and some don't, but many women blame their doctors for disregarding breast pain and not ordering tests right away. I am glad I decided to make the appointment.
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Janis, so good to see you back here...missed you. In your pocket, of course. It is so worrisome and just takes away from peace of mind.I have a "new?" lumpy thing I may have mentioned...I lost some weight so breasts are smaller and I feel this round lump but it's near the scar...should be scar tissue but it feels so disconnected. My appointment is in April. Should I call for a quick check? I think about it every day.
Lemon, so good to see you too. I am sorry you have to go through surgery and all it entails; but I sense you have peace about your decision. Don't be a stranger here...we've all hung around so long....it's a really good place to be here.Kate, as always, am sending prayers and positive thoughts for your recovery. Those pain pills are unbearable on the digestive system - especially when already glitchy. It is so not like you to be inactive...can't wait for you to be out and about and getting in that visit to your family.
Josie, not too much information - we have all had that scenario where everyone is sick and nobody cleans up but mom! I never got that...When mom falls ill, everyone is better and outta there. I hope you don't get it. Sometimes I don't.
Cheers and gentle hugs for finishing rads, Deb!!! And wishing quick recoveries for the new ladies who have joined here and are in recovery. Spring is coming, nice weather, and maybe some normalcy.
Am at work so have to go...class from 6 to 8. I never sleep enough...but my break from classes is 3/17 week and I can make my own hours.
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Joan, my feeling about the new lump is yes, get it checked sooner for your own peace of mind. I developed a lump last year near the incision site. it bothered me long enough that I finally called to have it checked. The doctor thought it was just naturally evolving new scar tissue, but ordered an MRI in that breast anyway. So got that done and it was all clear. Too bad they didn't check the left one, that is the one I am having all the pain in! It has been a year since that was Slammo-ed. A new word! It is likely nothing of course, but I trust me, you will feel better once you know that for sure! HUGS!
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Yes Joan, I agree with Janis--see if they can do a quick check ahead of your April appointment.
My surgeon says everything looks good! He did a clinical exam and looked at my mammo and my MRI. He pointed out that the radiologists need to see the imaging still, and I won't hear from them for a few more days. The new PT was also helpful. She does not think there's any lymphedema!!! Big phew!!!! But she agrees there's cording, and lots of tightness in the pecs on the BC side, probably from the radiation (especially given my wider field). She also found that both of my shoulders have weak stabilizer muscles. She showed me a bunch of manageable-looking stretching that I am to do for a couple of weeks--some in the shower, some in bed, some sitting, some standing. Then I go back and maybe I'll have graduated to some weight-lifting in addition. She is a former runner and several times has run the half-marathon I'm doing in June. That's good because non-runners sometimes get gloomy about how running will fit in with other things, and she understood what I'd need in terms of strength training to support the running, even given where I'm starting now.
Boy, the MRI was draining, even with a tranq. I slept in the hospital for 45 minutes, just on a bench, then dozed off some during the MRI, then dozed on the way home, and what I'd really like now is a nap--not a couple of hours of work. Waaa. Anyway I can really say this was a good day, because nothing jumped out at the surgeon and I think bad news, if it came, might come that way. Phew again!
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Great news, RunFree. Sounds like a really happy day, minus, of course, the exhaustion and tests and tension and poking an prodding. So great that that you have direction on the arm thing. Even better that your surgeon couldn't find anything interesting. Now it's back to normal, After a bit of decompression, of course.I don't know, Joan. It seems your appointment is just a few weeks away, and, of course it's probably nothing, but maybe it would be kind of nice to know it's nothing.
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Janis, in your pocket for Friday.I'm praying for good results for you.Yes I think we may be in the clear with the stomach flu.
Joan, yes I already got it over the weekend.
RunFree, glad you had good results.And no Lymphodema!! Hope that PT gives you some relief.
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Hi y'all
Blink...I'm reading and playing catchup.
Janis -.in your pocket
fingers&toes crossed for FridayDeb - congrats you are radiant
you will be ready for the hike Kate - cheers to movement:) Mira lax or prunes or fiber one...trash sack over leg for shower time...LE go away...thanks for sharing your coat.
Spring Break soon...Joan- call and go in now...SAB- book?...RunFree- congrats on lookin good!
Josie - stop passing the flu bug...hazard suits:(
Bunkie - sorry you are feeling so dizzy, but glad you will be seeing dr soon...hang in there Spring is coming
April - congrats Grandma, Nana...exciting times!
Lemon - good to hear from you...we will be in your pocket
fingers&toes crossed:)))Well, small groin hernia confirmed with CT, but surgeon wants to wait...we are pressing to get it done...holding up our trips. Over 80 here...flowers are blooming...the desert us beautiful. Will go to IW for the tennis with my dad the next few days...we're going to melt!
(((Hugs to all)))
Cindy
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Joan,
Call your doctor to get an appointment this/next week.
I had fluid building up where the tumor was and my body has not been absorbing it. The first time the fluid drained outside of my body my BS saw me the same day. The second time (on Tuesday) it happened my BS set me up for an appointment on Monday. He said I could wait since the MO is seeing me tomorrow.
Just me two cents.
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Hi all
I am back- I did make it to Montana at midnight last thursday. Boarded a flight they said "might" go to missoula but if they could not land they would take us to Kalispell and we were "on our own" hmmmm I like to live dangerously and figured Kalispell is closer than Salt Lake so away I went and thankfully we did land in Missoula- DH picked me up amazed that we could land as it was snowing buckets. The snow continued and thank God I had him bring my boots from WYO so I would have something to wear.
Loved spending the weekend with my son and his family. Granddaughter is just getting to big so fast and now is happy to have me hold her and spoil her hehehe. Flew back to the bay monday morning so arrived in snow and left in snow- I went right to work and have been tired so took me a couple days to get back on the thread.
Kate- still fighting the good fight I see, hang in there wasn't it Saturday Night Live- "if its not one thing its another"
I thought I had posted this site before- its FREE and you can sort by type, level, length etc. There is a 15minute chair yoga right on the homepage. I have been off my yoga schedule this week but will catch up.
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Joan, yes please get that lump checked out.Let us know we will be in your pocket.
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Sab, Janis, Brookside, Joan, Runfree, Cindy and Wyo thanks for the support.
Brookside, sure there will be American Express cards for us all in heaven, but I am not ready to go, so I guess I will just use Visa
Janis, I am in your poclet ready to pour margaritas. I am glad you have an early appointment I can use the margarita already
Runfree, so glad all is well
Wyo, Glad you enjoyed your trip with your family
Joan I second or third the other's opinions regarding go to get it checkedASAP, so your mind will be put at ease ASAP. I am sure all will be fine, and I am sending prayers and positive vibes
Cindy,so sorry hubby has a hernia. I hear you that you want to get this taken care of ASAP and I hope the surgeon hears you too and moves this up. Enjoy tennis with your dad. I am sending prayers and positive vibes to get this surgeon to speed this up if at all possible. Gosh you rwo have been through too much. Hugs, Hugs, and more hugs,
I've had a bad couple of days mostly because of painful cramps from constipation, and also leg swelling is just not budging to go down. As for the constipation cramps and pain my Gi specialist gave me a prescrption for Relistor. It supposedly counteracts the constipation you get from taking pain meds I will have to inject this medication in my abdomen every other day. My GI specialist is calling the nursing agency,the hospital gave me from medicare, and instructing them in how to teach me how to use it. I have a nurse coming here Monday.
As for my leg swelling my physical therapist is appalled at how much I sit at a desk using my desktop. She doesn't want me sitting at all. She wants me to be laying down elevating,or walking, anything but sitting with my leg down. I called Time Warner and the soonest they can come out to install some new services like wifi is SaturdayMarch 15. I have a laptop but it's too heavy, so I will go to Staples this weekend to buy a tablet. I will probably go with a dell because it's compatible with internet explorer and windows. I don't want to start learning new tricks on Apple. It's just too confusing for me on pain meds etc. I want something compatible with msn, because I like playing card games on the zone. My son thinks the most compatible to the stuff I want to do is Dell, but unfortunately they only have an 8 inch screen I would prefer a 10 inch. I will look into Samsung too.
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Cindy, don't recall whether I mentioned it already, but I'm so glad it turned out to be just a hernia after all.
Kate, you never told us about the sitting. Crafty nurse figuring it out. You'll absolutely love your new laptop or iPad or whatever it turns out to be. Good luck with the injections--sounds like they might just do the trick.
Wyo, your trip sounds wonderful. Not the snow part, just the getting where you wanted to be and doing what you wanted to do, and, especially, seeing your family.
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Kate, a Dell tablet is a great idea, or a Samsung Note. (I like the Note because it's meant to write on, but that's not everyone's priority.) I got an iPad this fall and I'm amazed at how much more I tote it around than I did my laptop. It's awful that you're still so uncomfortable. I would be a bit nervous to give myself injections, but I bet you're willing to do a lot of things just to get rid of this rotten problem.
Cindy, I hope the surgery can be done sooner. Why does the surgeon want to wait?
Wyo, thanks for the yoga link. I've used that one a little bit too. Ultimately I think yoga is never going to be my thing, but it's great for just about everyone in some way. It's so great that you got to see your grandchildren. Silly snow thinking it could keep you away!
mapgirl12, that's a really instructive story about your fluid buildup. You must be about half done with your chemo now?
It was -2 this morning, but we might hit 40 degrees tomorrow. Everyone's all atwitter.
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Hi y'all
Yippee! Surgery 3/17...pot of gold...hubby will get green & gold pedi lol! Thankful, pocket warriors worked your magic and we are getting it done. Been celebrating BDays...dad&I hit balls...IndianWells tournament today:) GS tomorrow!
Kate - I love my iPad,purchased before lx...luv it over my old hp...but understand keeping it all in sync ...ugh the swelling&constipation...fingers&toes crossed recovery soon:) leg up!
RunFree - 89 today warm going to swim this evening to cool down...Spring break plans?
Wyo - fun trip! Luv the bay...House of Prime Rib...ummm Hyatt Reg SF 3/27 sil will repell down for outward bound ca fund raiser...hook line and thinker pr!
Brookside - yes, small 2cm hernia, but soon no more:)
Ok, let's raise our Visas and go RT!
(((Hugs to all)))
Cindy
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Hi ladies. I want to thank you all for being in my pocket. I hope everyone will join me Wednesday afternoon. They ordered a Slammo and ultrasound for sore booby. No speculation on what it could be, she thought she felt a small lump near the armpit where it hurts, but said that could just be breast tissue. My left gland under the jaw was a little swollen. I really didn't think there would be any drama today. So, tick tock, more waiting! I hope they tell me the results right away, they usually do. Kate, are you up to bring margaritas again? Also I would love chips and guacamole. Everyone bring what they like and party like mad okay? Thanks all of you for being there for me, always. You are the best.
Cindy I am glad to hear hubby has nothing terribly serious wrong, that has to be a relief! You two have been through too much and I hope everything goes much better starting now!
Kate.....your poor body has been through too much trauma. I really hope you can get some relief. My DH is dealing with one swollen calf and no idea why. I made him put on my compression stockings and he elevates and ices it. We have no idea what is wrong, does not look like a blood clot but it is so strange. Anyway, I am glad to hear you can get a tablet and get more couch and elevating time. Sending a ton of healing hugs your way.
Wyo I keep meaning to ask you where in Wyoming you are from? I lived there for years and loved it. We had to relocate due to my husbands health. Long story. We lived in Casper for about 12 years and 7 years in Cheyenne. We left there in . I can't tell you how much I miss it, wind and all.
Hugs and joy to all of you!
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Hi Wise, experienced ladies. You all have a great group here!
I wanted to ask you about fatigue. I finished rads on Jan 21 and started Tamoxifen about 2 weeks ago. Even though it has been like 6 weeks since the end of rads I still have that weird, drained feeling that started during rads. How long did it take you all to recover? I really thought I would have my energy back by now. I have been walking on the treadmill daily for 30 mins to increase my energy but it makes me more tired! I am 52 BTW.
Wishing you all well!
Dawn
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Brookside,Runfree,Cindy and Janis thanks for the support
Welocme Dawn. Everyone is different I never experienced any fatigue at all with rads others had a bad time with it. I hope you get your energy back soon
Runfree, so sorry you have -2. Hate to rub it in, but we will have 80 Sunday.
Cindy I am so glad they moved Hubby's surgery up to 3/17. What is the most popular drink for St. Patty's day. I will supply it
Janis, sorry you have to get another procedure Wed. Of course I will supply Margaritas, enjoy the ones I am pouring right now.
I am not feeling well at all today. I have a call into doc. I woke up nauseated, and I have to double check with him if he approves of Relistor. For side effects it list severe stomach cramps. OMG I am afraid to use it
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Yikes Kate, no fair having to worry about your new med! I was hoping to hear that it was all green light. Hope that nausea leaves you alone! And the rest!
Janis, how disappointing to have to keep wondering what is going on for almost another week. Most likely, still, it will turn out not to be anything, but I know the worry is a drain all by itself. I would love some nachos, guac, sour cream, AND a margarita. Then an ice cream sundae, why not?! We will all party you right through this.
Cindy, great news about your husband's surgery--here's to moving forward!
My surgeon called--the radiologists agree my imaging is clear. One year down, 50 to go!
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Janis, I'm glad you're getting slammed and sounded all in one day...although too bad you have to wait. Fingers crossed that it's all OK. I'm hopeful that it is. And if they don't come see you right away...stay there till they do. They definitely talk with me immediately out here. Sure Pistol didn't inadvertently scratch you over there once while riding on your shoulders? Or, too much spring gardening (at least it's spring here).
Kate, glad you've got a call in to Doc. I'd be afraid of the new med also, although it sounds like the alternative of oxy pain med is one cause of the pain. Oh well, we've got left overs of your margaritas from Janis's pocket, I think you should just indulge with those...
Cindy, good news all around for a small hernia and a quick surgery date.....that coat does do absolute wonders. He'll have to loan it to Janis for a day next week, but she promises to return it by Friday in plenty of time for his surgery.
DawnCT. I'm so sorry you're still messing with the fatigue issue. I also had it linger and linger and linger. Seemed like after a month or two, I'd feel great for a day or so, and then, wham, no energy at all. I think you will soon start to find that sitting for just 10-20 minutes will be enough to get you back up and moving, and then one day you'll realize you don't have much fatigue at all. It is a slow process of healing though, so give your body the rest and good food that it needs to recuperate. I don't know if you eat much sugar added foods, but I have found that even a small piece of a sweet dessert at lunch will cause me to be fatigued the rest of the afternoon (and I'm 2 1/2 years out of rads). Remember, the damage done by the rads was lots, and as we age, healing takes longer (I know, I'm 66). I think your exercise regime is admirable, and do think you should exercise, but make certain that you're not pushing your body too hard too fast. Maybe alternate with 30 minutes one day followed by 15 minutes the next? Or change it up and try dancing to some music for a pick me up? I gather you are in Ct, and all that snow and hard winter you guys have had would make even the strongest willed people feel fatigued......LOL, says me, a California gal. Good luck, and let us know how it's going.
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Run Free...great news. The one year all clear is such a great feeling.....
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Thanks Sew! I was grateful to the doctor for calling ahead of the weekend, too.
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HI all
Kate I am glad you are on top of med management and how you feel- its a complicated thing so staying in touch with those who are prescribing is important- I have a tablet- love it! its an ACER set up for google- I don't use my laptop that much at all now unless I need microsoft office. I don't like the ipad for things like cut/paste but for pictures and quickly looking things up- that is good too. Let us know what you decide.
Hope all get warmer weather coming- I am in Avila beach this weekend supposed to be mid to high 70s so that will erase all memory of snow LOL
janis my house is between cheyenne and laramie- about 20 miles out of town so you can't forget the milk before you leave town.
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Kate well dammit! I feel so bad for you having to go through yet more problems. I want you to be well so much, it is simply not fair that you are feeling so lousy. Yes, we will have more margaritas and hope so much we can have a happy party. Sounds like the Mexican food will be good for everyone. I am in your pocket and fingers and paws crossed here for better days ahead for you! Thanks for being there for my tests Wednesday.
RunFree I am so happy you have good news. We love to hear words like 'clear' and 'normal'. Happy dance for you. So glad you are partying with is Wednesday. The sundae will be perfect after our spicy food.
Sew, thanks for the cheerleading as always. I hate waiting but hoping for those happy words that RunFree just got. I am not really worried as much as uneasy. Plus impatient about the wait. Now my poor DH has swelling in his left calf. No redness but the swelling is obvious and it is sore. If it is swollen tomorrow we are going to the VA. It is a long drive and a really bad VA. If they don't do an ultrasound and just blow it off, I will blow a gasket. It is a simple diagnostic tool and will provide us with much needed answers. So everyone, please keep him in your thoughts/prayers, whatever works for you. I am really pretty worried.
Wyo I know where you live...out Happy Jack toward the lake I am guessing. I love that area, it is gorgeous. My don went to grad school in Laramie and sometimes we took that road out to visit, but more often we took I-80. I love the drive out there.
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I finished rads in january and still have moments of fatigue usually in the evening. My biggest problem is pain under my breast in the rib area, I know I was radiated there because I still have a tan line. I wonder if anyone else has experienced this. It feels like a bruise tender to the touch. I'm not sure if I should mention to the doc, but not sure which doc to see. I was really hoping things would go back to normal for the spring. Last march I had to have emergency gall bladder surgery and then in the fall had my bc surgery and radiation. It was a rough year. God is good and has given me the strength to make it through it all, just got to get by all these little bumps in the road of life.
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Janis, what? It isn't enough to wait on pins and needles till Wed for your tests, now DH's leg has to act up! Too much already. Any chance it's gout? I know there isn't bruising with that, but am not sure about swelling. Poor guy. You'll just have to stay at the VA till they run some sort of definitive tests. Now if we work this right, he can borrow the warrior coat for Monday or Tuesday, you can have it Wednesday, and then pop it back in to the mail to Cindy for her DH's hernia surgery on the 17th. Oh, and perhaps we'll take a very quick detour so Joan can wear it one day next week when she gets her lump/sore spot checked. That ought to do it......everyone protected! thanks Cindy for making this coat, it sure has been doing a great job, must be all the love put in to it.......
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Sew yes plenty of worry but I am trying not to panic. All will be well! This morning it is swollen but not too large. We are measuring it with a cloth tape measure. The good calf is 14", bad one 15 1/4. He has a little more pain in it this morning than yesterday. He hates that VA but we may end up there today if this gets any worse. Or tomorrow. We are kind of in a holding pattern. As soon as he feels uncomfortable enough to get it checked we'll be out of here.
Gilbert here is my thoughts on what to tell the doctor. Pretty much anything that you are concerned about! You can call and probably a nurse can reassure you and let you know what you are experiencing is normal. Oh, and congratulations on finishing rads! The fatigue at this stage is quite normal. It should improve over time. The pain you are experiencing is likely from rads, but call just to make sure. Since you are done with rads, you probably need to contact your MO. A simple phone call is often all you need to get much needed peace of mind. Please keep us posted, I'll be thinking of you.
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Thank much! I checked with the pharmacy and they said Teva is what they've been getting in lately, but they can't guarantee they will have that brand in the future....UGH! Sorry to hear of the issues some of you are going thru....hang in there! Praying for all of you!
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