Radiation recovery
Comments
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RunFree I can't believe you are in for yet more snow. You poor east coast people have had a terrible winter. I am sure you can't wait to usher in spring, if it ever decides to show up. I have a friend in NH and she sure is weary of it all.
Joan, I am trying to go to Colorado in July for my 60th birthday. I have never asked for anything and this year I want this trip so badly. My ex DH said he and DS would pay all of our gas to drive there. I don't fly. Silly me. I know you go to Colorado sometimes and maybe I will get lucky and you will be there around mid July. If so let me know! My birthday is on a weekday so hoping to have a small party at a park on July 19th. This is my dream, the biggest bucket list wish ever. Adam and Jen live in Conifer and it is at 9,200 elevation. Poor DH cannot go that high so any gathering has to be further down the road toward Denver. Maybe Golden. Still making plans but it would sure be amazing if you were there. WOW!
Bunkie it is just not fair you are having such serious health issues. I know how much you strive to feel better. Thinking of you, and I have to hope you will get better and find joy soon in much better health. Hugs!
Josie I hope you feel better with your allergies. DH and I both have them and Zyrtec is what we take. It helps a lot. I hope you have something that helps you. I think this might be a bad allergy season. Take care Hon!
Big D Joan, hoping you can breeze through rads as most of us here did. Stay hydrated and walk a bit, get a little exercise and get out and enjoy the warmer weather. This will help a lot. Also use some lotion on the radiated breast to keep it moisturized. It really helps. Extra protein is good as well. All pretty common sense things that will help. Soon this will all be behind you and we will all celebrate your last treatment together!
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Cindy I will be thinking about you today ( Thursday) it is almost 1 am in Santa Monica. Post op look see day. I hope they look and see everything beautifully in place. Then send him home to make love to youamd relax and enjoy. We both need a break. Margaritas and fun sound perfect. Love making sounds great too, but sill looking for thr right guy.
Joan I don't think the earthquake hit San Francisci, but I could be srong. I think it was near me. Encino, Santa Monica, etc. It's the worse one I ever felt.
Bunkie I am so very sorry that you feel so awful. I so much wish I could do something to help you. The only thing I can tell you and i know it is so difficult is that you must change the way you are thinking. As I recall you like to read, qand there are so many books to try and help you think positive. Soemtimes when everyone and all things are gone it's just you and your thoughts. If you want to feel bad keep on doing what you are doing, but if you want to feel even a tiny bit better change those God awful depressing thoughts into even one tiny little positive thought. Or even get out of the house for 5 minutes and think about a flower or something nice that you've seen. I've been there feeling miserable as hell and I have to fight it daily too, but I know that it works. AI will feel like hell. Get dressed go out and a cute two-year old mbaby will smile and it makes my day. I so much wish you lived closer to me. AI think I could help you. Sometimes these long posts get cut off, si I am going to end it and continue on another post. .
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Geez I had so many mistakes on my last post, and I wasn't even drinking. Just me and Opoids.
Runfree and Brookside I an so jealous of the meetups you get to have. Two very intelligent loving women with much in common. I wish I were there to give you both hugs.
Big D drinking a lot of water is good, but so is moisturizing, moisturizing and moisturiing. I used some moisturizer sold by CVS that had the word Cow in it;s name and it was fabulous for me.
I so much wish I could have a visitor come to Santa Monica. Hint Hint Hint Sab somehow I think it dould be you.
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I think breaking up these large posts are much better than posting lomg one's because you lose them and nothing is more aggravating. Well lo and behold I had another good day. I've had a few good days in a row and I am so delighted.
Today i went to see a pain management specialist, and I really liked him. Hi kis going to help me get off of Opoids entirely. Right now I am taking 40 mg of Oxycontin twice a day. Next week he is cutting it to 40 mg once a day and 30 mg once a day. So 10 mg will be dut off and that is the goal to cut down 10 mg a week so after 8-10 weeks I am through with them. He said I could have some withdrawal symproms just cutting off 10 a week, and he said he will work with me so I will have minimal diahrrea, minimal nausea and minimal vomiting. He said he will be available by email, and i won'r have to suffer a loe. I sure hope so, because doing that 2 weeks ago all alone was no fun at all. I trust him after just knowing him for a few minutes. He is from Chicago, and we grew up just a few blocks apart. .God I hope my judgment is right about him.
Right now I am having trouble getting a prescription filled for 30 mg of Oxycontin. If you noticed on the news CVS is being sued by the Government or somewhere regarding 100's of millions of dollars worth of bogus presciptions. They told me my hospital should have an outpatient pharmacy and I can get them filled there.
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Well in any case it still is good news that I can work on getting rid of Opoids out of my life by July at the latest. Hopefully that will help to clear up a lot of my constipartion. OMG it is almpost 2 am here, and I've been hogging this line for over an hour.
My nurse is coming at 10 am to give me an enema. Then the lady who cleans my house is coming at 10. Then after she cleans I am hoping we can go to Staples. I need some colored ink and a new keyboard. after that I am hoping we can go to Time warner so I can get a new modem that will work for wifi, phone, cable, internet, and a wireless router. So then at least I ca n use my laptop in the house. All of that will be aggravating, so I am hoping to chill by going out to dinner with them ( the lady who cleans my house, my hairdresser, and Tracy my doctor friend.
I am getting so ready to party party party in Chicago.
Sorry this was so long. Have a great weekend everyone.
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Kate, what fantastic news that you've had a run of good days, you've got a new doc who is going to help you and be in great communication, and you are making plans for how to make your life work better! That is all music to my ears, and I'm sure the ears of the rest of us too. Brookside and I would LOVE to meet you and to get and give hugs! Not to make you eat your heart out, but we ended up with TEN new inches of snow overnight, and more is due Saturday. Want to switch homes for a little while?!? I hope you have a productive and then fun day with all your plans.
Janis, I am really rooting for you to get to go to CO for your birthday. That doesn't seem like so much to ask! Do your son and his wife ever come visit you and your husband? I know people get busy, but they might be more mobile than you are.
BigD, hang in there with the rads. I got rides to rads every day from a different person, and that helped the time go by like magic. I also treated myself to some things. It's a slog to be sure, and harder than that for some, generally either from fatigue or skin issues. Patience and an upbeat outlook are great assets, as much of both as you can muster. Vent and complain to us all you want!
Joan, that is great about your new contract. It sounds like a win-win for you either way. If you could dial back the work a bit, so much the better. My mom has been working part-time online at a college for a long time, and it was just about right. She just decided to retire after this summer--but she's 76. We're lucky that our jobs are not so physically taxing and we can keep going, on some basis, for longer than some.
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Are we allowed to drink a glass of wine while doing radiation? Anyone ask? I have one or two glasses of wine with dinner once a week. ONC said okay with Anastrozole, but haven't asked about Rad Tx.
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hi y'all
Flagirl - don't know ....my BC centers lead MO said no...sugar:( maybe maybe once or twice a year Pinot Noir ...but sort of shamed the idea of drinking...ask! So rads don't think answer would be any different.
Kate - yippee good news and movement
Chicago here you come!Janis - Ooo who you get to a new decade! CO Bday time fun...rocky mountain hi! Hummm are you a hippy chick?
Joan - career options:))) nice to have the freedom to choose your way! RunFree gave great path with her mom:). Me older hubby, reached milestone goals, I was ready to recreate!
BigD - free boobing and cream...enjoy the days off the table out of the healing light!
Bunkie - oh my! Sending healing thoughts&prayers and warmth&sunshine!
Josie - allergies ugh...all the pollen here is driving my eyes&nose crazy:( enjoy your weekend with family:)
Hubby gets stitches out next Thursday! Our DIL arrives tonight...missionary on fund support visit, dads Bday, and GS on Tues...planning parties for all! Wearing FitBit on my ankle...hate on wrist...compulsive so hope I can get another 50 miles in...maybe with GS Easter egg hunt! And lLiving Desert...no tram...hi altitude can run at 10,000+. HBO has the history of the Eagles on...interesting...Hotel California...those innocent days:) take it easy...TGIF
Shout out to all
(((Hugs)))
Cindy
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Yes, Joan, I am on Femara. So far so good. Traveling sounds lovely, been a long time since I did any of that. I hope you have a wonderful time. Yay for Spring!!!
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And thank you Kate and Janis. I appreciate all advice from those who have been through rads. I still feel good, but have only been through 5 zaps. Will keep you posted and bless you all!
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It was such fun meeting RunFree yesterday. We found several women who had never heard of this site. I am so pleased to have stumbled on it--it was such a lifesaver while I was in the weeds after rads, and now that the trauma stuff is pretty much in the past, I feel I have a bunch of new friends all over the country. Isn't it just a little sad that not everyone knows we are here?
Joan, can't wait to hear about your road trip. Feel free to pack everyone up and haul them up to this neck of the woods.
Bunkie, what a rough time you're having. Do you feel like any of your docs has a clue to what's happening?
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Runfree I would adore to have some of your snow. Flagirl When I was taking rads I did ask my dr. and he was fine with one or two glasses of wine once or twice a week.
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flagirl I didn't ask during rads, and they didn't tell me to avoid drinking. So I enjoyed wine and beer on the weekends. I'm still alive a year later. ;-)
Seriously, though, it sounds like the amount that you normally drink is perfectly fine. Just drink extra water with it ... I found rads to be dehydrating. But don't worry, and enjoy!
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Cindy, just wanted to tell you how fun your posts are, and I admire how you address every one. I am not that talented, but I hope everyone here knows that I read and enjoy their posts! Sounds like you have some fun ahead, enjoy! I have to check out that Eagles documentary ... I love those kinds of shows. I have the fitbit one that I attach to my waistband or bra, depending on my outfit.
Have turned over a new leaf this week ... Joined Weight Watchers at a new center .... A friend joined with me, which will be helpful and fun. My leader is witty, engaging, and looks fantastic, probably a size 4 or 6 after losing 130 lbs on WW six years ago! Very inspiring. Next week will be one year that I ended rads, and I fell in to some very bad habits this winter ... Got way too sedentary and ate way too much. I'm 7 lbs heavier than I was a year ago, and that was on top of being 20 lbs above my fightin' weight. So back to WW for me, and I love the new Simple Start and Simply Filling program. I've had successes with WW before (it's really the only thing that has worked for me), and I'm happy to see that the program is always evolving.
It's going to be a long journey, but I feel like I'm finally in the right mindset to make this work. I turn 50 in two months and want to feel healthy and on track when my birthday rolls around. Another thing ... Three months before diagnosis, I got braces to correct my bite. I've hated every minute of them ... I have the porcelain brackets on my upper teeth and metal on the lower, so it's not exactly a mouthful of tin. But I have always felt self-conscious and unattractive with them on. Well, the end is in sight --- April 8th they come off! So things are looking up. Feels right that all these good changes are happening in Spring.
Sorry to make this post all about me! Happy Friday to everyone! Xo
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Gemini, aka Young 'Un--I'm just a few months ahead of you, having shockingly turned 50 in September--this is all great! So many people seem to do well on WW, and it's such a nice thing to do for yourself since you have used it well before and you're excited about the new format. You have hung on with those braces and soon you will reap the reward! Did you have braces as a kid? I had them from age 12-15 and I remember the weird feeling when I got them off, as if I had big long horse teeth. Soooo smooth, felt wonderful, and I bet you'll look wonderful too. Spring ahead!
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Gemini I love your goals. Weight Watchers with a friend will be very inspiring as if turning 50 isn't, although that's a loooong time back for me. And the fitbit will help goad you on to more and more exercise. Perfect. I also had braces as a teen, and it is the most wonderful feeling when they come off. Good for you for getting that done, you'll love the results and feel like a whole new woman; straight teeth, fightin' weight and lookin good. Bring on the birthdays.........
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Good gracious, Gemini. Your post reminded me that today is my end of rads anniversary. Yippee. One year out. Exactly. And spring is not exactly sprung here in New England. This morning I watched the sander go back and forth outside,
Like you, I am exactly 7 pounds up, over probably the last month. Not happy. Not happy at all, and feeling totally helpless about it. Usually, believe it or not, I am better behaved on the weekend, so here's hoping I'll be down a bit by Monday.
RunFree, I never had braces. My father, a dentist, and my mother, with dentures, decided my slightly twisted tooth lent "character."
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ok now that I've made an official announcement about WW to this board, I really do have to stay on track! ;-)
RunFree I didn't have braces as a kid. My teeth were straight, but who knows if this bite issue was always there. I know I'll love the results, but not the process. One good thing about the BC treatment was it took my mind off having the braces for a while.
Thanks, Sew and Brookside, for your encouraging words. Congrats on your rads anniversary today! Let's hope we have a lucky seven pounds that will come off quickly.
I think we are having a little more spring here in MA than in VT and NH, but not by much! I'm still reaching for my knee-length north face down parka most days. At least the sidewalks are finally clear of ice.
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Brookside, congratulations on your radsiversary! (Speaking of braces, that's a mouthful!) It's interesting to watch these milestones pass by. Next Tuesday is the anniversary of the day I started rads, which feels like a long time ago now. I guess that's a good thing. I agree that a little irregularity in the teeth lends character! I had big donkey teeth and could barely close my mouth, so there was no surprise about my braces. I'm grateful my parents could afford them. For sure, 7 lbs. can feel awful. Won't it help to have ice-free ground like Gemini has??? If that's in MA, it can't be too far behind for us. Spring has to come eventually, right? I think that's in our contract.
Gemini, I need that kind of coat!
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I was in Holyoke yesterday and it's true. There was no ice on the ground. Nothing there but ground. Sidewalks even! And cell service. There's a whole civilization just a teeny bit south of us.
Gemini, I guess we're the 7 pound twins. Let's see if we can do something about it. Anyone else want to joint the challenge?
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Gemini, Good for you being so proactive and getting braces.Also WW, I had luck on that before.I plan on getting on it again.
Brookside, congrats on your Rads anniversary.It's hard to believe it's been a year.
Well count me in on the weight loss band wagon.I was asked by a patient today when my baby is due? OUCH that was not my favorite moment of the day.I told her my baby is 11 yrs old. She was embarrassed.As she should have been.I was mortified.Yes my tummy has been a little pudgy lately.I probably could stand to lose like 10 lbs.That is a great incentive.
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Oh, no, Josie. Consider her remark a complement on how youthful you look and act. If I were your age I guarantee people would think I was pregnant too.
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Thanks Brookside
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I've gotten that question too! From a student, a number of years ago (four years before I ever did get pregnant): "So, when is the blessed event?" Tacky! He was mortified. I flunked him. (Just kidding!) Josie, I am SURE you don't look pregnant, and Brookside, I KNOW you don't! People just don't look very carefully. But Josie, Brookside's right that you must look really young for anyone to come up with that even superficially. Anyway, it feels good to lose weight, get in shape, get active, and I'm excited for these efforts.
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RunFree, Thanks for trying to make me feel better.But I just stepped on the scale a nd I think I've gained some weight.Probably 5 lbs.I was probably 10 lbs heavier to begin with since last year.But even my daughter noticed. It's just my tummy.
Time to start watching what I eat.Maybe I can blame the Tamoxofin.
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Gemini- I had my braces off last January, about 5 days after my diagnosis at the age of 44! I had them for almost 3 years. I hated them and once DX I just couldn't deal with it any longer. My top teeth are perfect, my bottoms are straight but not quite 'done'. I see the orthodontist next week. I am not sure if I will allow them to go back on the bottom. You will be so happy to have them off and I am sure look even more beautiful!
I am not inspired to go and check out the WW new plan, can you do it online? I am feeling FAT!! I know I need some fat for my surgery but I am up 23 pounds from last year and I am beating myself up daily about it. Good luck to all of you who are trying, I am going to do my best. Thanks for bringing it up. I know I don't post often but I do read all the time.
XO
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wow, Lemon, I had no idea we were braces twins in addition to being ILC twins! Yes, I am going to be so happy with my teeth when the braces are off.
Re WW, yes you can definitely do it online. There are online and mobile tools. I would still recommend attending meetings -- I find the weekly weigh-in away from home is a real incentive to stay on track during the week.
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HI all
I don't know where to start its been a bit since I posted. Work has been just nuts and I have been going in early and getting home late so not hopping on the computer.
Joan you are a gamer- I tell you if I could retire tomorrow I think I would. My daughter says I would be bored but I don't know ---I would find some fun thing to do LOL. I think part of it is I just don't have the patience for the petty nonsense but still somehow get caught up in it anyway.
I did have a great 2-day meeting with some of our front line nurses which was fun and energizing. Check out this video from the Cleveland Clinic- its so powerful, I hope we can instill empathy and understanding in caregivers and all who have patient/family contact
http://health.clevelandclinic.org/2013/03/empathy-exploring-human-connection-video/
Lots of things going on- hubby surgery,comb attacks, fitbit and WW challenges and of course the ubiquitous snow storm for our friends in New England. Had to read all to catch up.
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Hi all,
Kate, You are right - the earthquake from last week was definitely close to you. My DS in SFO did not feel it. (he probably slept through). I liked reading your separated posts...easier! It sounds like you are doing better and getting input from your docs. I hope you did get out and enjoy a few "normal" things. The more you get out and walk around, the easier it will be for you to get your endurance back. About getting off the drugs - entirely possible with that plan. Especially if you are motivated. Yes, there will be SEs and some pain. But the sooner you go through it, the better you will feel. Have fun planning your trip to Chicago. I have not been there yet to visit DS who moved there...but I do owe him a visit soon.
I do hope you will be able to meet up with some BCO sisters soon.Yesterday I left my home on eastern LI and drove to Manhattan...picked up a BCO friend from PA at the main bus terminal in NYC; then parked and met another BCO friend from Texas...we had brunch at a diner on Lexington Ave. After we said goodbye, my PA friend and I drove to Philadelphia to a suburb to meet two more BCO friends at Panera Bread. We had such a great day and we laughed and told stories and talked about the threads...but most of all, we shared our common bond and realized how important BCO is in our lives. The ladies here are real...each of us different...but willing to accept one another with caring and without judgment. It's a very special thing. I drove back to northeastern PA to sleep over and today i drove home again. A total of 500+ miles in 2 days...we had fun.
Wish we could have a reunion with everyone here...let's see....Kansas is the geographic center of the lower 48....Colorado is prettier...Disney World is more fun...California is sunnier...what to do???Janis, how wonderful to dream about your 60th in Colorado. You deserve a special celebration. And thanks for thinking of me....I did not plan my summer weeks yet but you never know...Colorado is like my 2nd home...It sounds like your family wants to make this happen for you.
DH just planned a business trip in the middle of my summer vacation....I am blindsided as I had plans for us - we just never discussed dates. Will have to re-think. It's a good problem, though.
Re: weight watching...I wish everyone luck with the efforts. This winter has seemed to be a time when we've put on a few pounds. I did not exercise half as much as I would have without snow. When I drove home from PA today (4 hours) I could not find any highway food that was on my eating plan...I did eat some "bad" stuff...When I start to eat right, I can skip most of the aisles in the grocery store. It gets simple. Eat this, not that. I don't do WW because some foods trigger my cravings. No bread for me...few sweets or unhealthy fats...cut way back on dairy. I lost over 15 lbs. since mid January without really trying. Clothes fit...but long way to go.
Supposed to go to Yankees Spring Training next week...DD now says maybe she can't go...I'd have to go alone....I think I could manage a nice room with all meals, a baseball game, and nice beaches.
(((Bunkie))) It's spring....snow will melt....more outdoors time...here's hoping good things will follow.0 -
Joan,
I will answer your post first and then go back and respond to some others. Yesterday was my 6 week anniversary from my surgey, and I am pale as a ghost. Yes, I am starting to get out and do normal things, but is is difficult without a ca,r expecially when I am barely able to walk.
I hate to talk about finances mine or anyone else's, but I think it will make me feel better to let you know that when my husband deserted me 10 years ago I lost everything. We weren't rich, but we were comfortable. Unfortuanately we didn't have any savings.. When he deserted me my heart was boken, I was in shock. I didn't work and one thing after another was gone. We were kind of upper middle class i guess. Couldn't buy everything at Saks, but I could buy dome clothes at bloomies irf I wanted to. Drove a new Maxima or Toyota if I wanted to. A vacation once a year, but no savings. You know the bit ate out 3 or 4 times a week, nice clothes, but savings wasn't a priority.
So when he left I was without love, and finances a car etc etc etc. it's a long story, but we are separated and not divorced, and I've never seen a dime from him. Everyt time I lost somethingt I thought that was the worst. The man you love, security, a car, etc etc and a million more etc. What you or at least I didn't realize was the worst thing to lose is your health. They say if you don't have your health you have nothing.. I find that not to be true. I have my children,grandchildren close cousins and friends. Besides that I have my resilience and perseverance, moxie etc etc etc.
I have put together a charming one bedroom apt. in Santa Monica, in a nice neighborhood with greqt neighbors. I guess the end of my life coulde be something like a greek tragedy, but I won't let that happen, and I will continue to fight..
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