Radiation recovery
Comments
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Kate, glad you're doing better. Yep, dragging around an IV bag would most certainly be a dead give away!
Momine.....I was never told that, but only had 4 nodes removed. Perhaps that's the difference. That, and tumor location, size and all those other medical issues. At least your doctor recognized there is such a thing as LE, some of them seem obtuse, IMHO
Hi Janis, you're sounding chipper this morning.....bet you're anticipating your LE massages next week!0 -
Mostly, that is odd, because even with only 4 nodes out, you should still have been told that, I think. I was told it should be OK to sleep on the other side, where they only took the sentinel node, but after chemo, I had a problem there too so had to stay off that side for a while too.
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Hi Momine,
Nope, never mentioned. Took a lymphadema education class (total 5 hour class) by a registered LE PT specialist and she didn't mention it either. It was a free class offered by my specialist group, and we did learn basic massage techniques, recognizing symptoms etc. The difference in information disseminated could be the difference in locale which I've noticed on this international board, or who knows. I don't have any problems that can't be handled by occasional LE massage either, and even that has all but disappeared since the end of rads..... Anyway, I think each case is so unique to the individual that it's quite hard to generalize...for example, I had a lumpectomy and I'm thinking you probably had a mastectomy and that could make a difference in cautions. I'm glad you're able to do what it takes to avoid the LE, because none of us wants that.0 -
Sew...so happy to hear the convention is going well. Enjoy it sweet lady. I did wake up feeling so much better. Today I have worn my compression bra that someone from this board sent me. It is very comfortable, more so than I expected. That is what I love about this place, the many friends I have made and the sharing and caring I have found here. She sent two, as she no longer needed them. They are a lifesaver to me.
I have never been told by any of my doctors not to sleep on the surgical side. Interesting! That is the side I always sleep on, my right side. Recovering from surgery and rads was difficult because I am a poor sleep as it is. Not being able to sleep on my right side was torture. I frequently rolled to my right anyway and the pain would wake me up. I was so happy when I finally healed and could sleep on my right side comfortably. The LE started and made that so painful! I am really looking forward to the LE therapy and losing all this extra fluid. I want to be comfortable again!
I have not talked to Irw today. I told her I would not call as I was afraid to catch her dozing. I asked her to call me and have not heard a word. I hope she is jsut resting and getting some catch up sleep. She has been so miserable poor thing. Thinking of you Lisa! Big hugs.
Kate glad to hear you are better, I hope next week all your aaointments go well.
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Spinnermom, I just have to say that tamoxifen is scary, but many, many women do fine. I was very concerned, but so far have experienced only moderate hot flashes and some limited joint pain that is manageable. With diet and exercise I have lost 35 pounds while taking the drug, and feel much better overall. As far as oncotyping, it confirmed the fact that I did not need chemo after rads...but did not sway the MO at all regarding tamoxifen, which he strongly recommended. Best of luck with your decisions.
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Welcome Spinnermom. Maybe a second opinion from another MO would be in order. It does seems your stats are quite favorable. I didn't note your age, but I assume you are fairly young. Dr. Susan Love says always get a second opinion about major decisions. Just a thought.
Janis, I know you are so glad to finally have an answer. I have had some truncal LE at times too, but it comes and goes. My surgeon recommended a LE therapist even after some stiffness in raising my arm early on. I haven't done it, because things seem great and they have been that way for a couple of months. I would go though, if there were any indication of trouble. I had a cold awhile back, and I could feel some fluid around the muscles around the rib. If it wouldn't have resolved, I would have gone in. I sleep on both sides quite comfortably. My lumpectomy was near the center of the right breast, so the only problem on the right side are the three nodes they took out, and that has been quite good.
Kate, here's hoping next week brings you good news and continued healing. Thinking of you often and sending you healing energy.
lrw, hoping to hear you are doing much better.
Sew, I have tons of yarn here too. I have at least three different projects going. I need to finish something. I am not doing anything too complicated yet, but I want to learn!
Hope you are all having a restful weekend. My husband is home for a nice long vacation. It is nice having him here with me, without having to travel. He is cutting back some on his schedule, which makes me very happy.
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Janis, it does sound as if info given varies a lot.
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Spinnerpom: I agree with the others, second opinion. Oncotype dx test is very good resource since this will tell you your % of recurrence and lifetime. My onco test score was 13. My tumor was less than a cm and I had clear margins and negative lymph nodes. I have chosen not to take the tamoxifen due to these results and family history of blood clots. And, my RO tends to agree with me. But everyone one is different. Glad that you are weighing the pros and cons to taking hormones.
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GigiL.......I would have never thought to seek out the therapy if mine wasn't so bad. It sort of creeped up on me last month. I noticed the discomfort and the obvious swelling, but also that I was having trouble sleeping on that side. As yours seems under sontrol, mine continued to get worse. I knew this was a problem and after reading the LE info I was sure. You would definitely know of course if yours did get worse. Lots of red flags that become impossible to ignore. I am glad yours is manageable.
Momine.....there is a lot of diversity in the medical community regarding both the cancer, the treatments, and the side effects. It can be overwhelming, but I am a firm believer in second opinions if you don't feel something is right. We know our bodies and know when to hit the alarm button. No two patients are alike and we may all receive different treatment plans. It is so interesting, but many things work for many people. I have learned so much here.
Have a great day ladies!! Hugs all around.....
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Thank you Janis and Gigil. I am feeling better today, and can't wait to check out the fashion at the Academy Award"s. I am hoping that cutie-pie George Clooney wins tonight. Gigil enjoy some quality time with your hubby. I am sure that he must be every bit as sweet as you are. Irw I am thinking about you, and hoping that all is well.
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Hi kate! I'll watch the show with you :-)
spinnermom, I agree with these ladies about second opinions--more discussion can never hurt. Just wanted to share my own experiences with the drug. Best to you.
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Hi Saab, Fashion wise I think Angelina stole the show. What do you think?
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Really enjoyed the show. It was surprisingly well done.
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I thought Penelope Cruz looked gorgeous as well as Gwyneth Paltrow. Oscars were fun to watch. I would have liked to see George Clooney win as well, and Martin Scorsese for Hugo. The silent film seems very artsy and although I am sure it was well made, I don't know if it deserved all of those awards. I will have to see it, however and maybe that will make me feel differently about it. Has anyone seen it?
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Hi Kate. Well, she (Jolie) took a lot of criticism for that pose she threw during her presentation...a bit much leg? She's always gorgeous though. What did you think of Jennifer Lopez?
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Hi Saab, On some best dressed lists they gave Angie A+.l I thought she honestly stole the show, and in my mind nobody else came close. I say if you've got it flaunt it. I am not usually a big Angelina fan, but I give credit where credit is due. Jennifer Lopez's dress is not my taste at all. Two other dresses I liked were Cameron Diaz, and somebody who I can't name that wore a black beaded dress and her hair was in a sleek Bob. After that I thought Michelle Williams looked cute, and Penelope Cruz looked dreamy. I loved the color of her dress. Tonight I can't wait to see the bachelor. I have a bet with my surgeon. She thinks Ben will wind up choosing Courtney, and I think he will end up with Lindsay.
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kate- Well I agree with almost all your votes for best dressed! Jennifer Lopez had a "wardrobe malfunction" but it was very subtle. (I didn't love her dress either.) Hope you win your bet (I never bet with people who use sharp objects for a living...haha)
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Jolie's knees are entirely too bony. I did love her fashions and the way she wore them in The Tourist however. I'm not a big Jolie fan either, but she can wear clothing very well.
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Hi everyone. Just wanted to Thank You all for the get well wishes and support. I am doing better now slowly but surely. I had my gallbladder removed and a Liver biopsy. My surgeon made the call to do the liver biopsy and I did not know it till after I woke up. I am waiting for the results.Other then being a little sore I am fine... Missed everyone and posting... Hugs, lisa
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Welcome back, Irw. We missed you. Keep on getting better and I hope your liver biopsy will show no problems whatsoever.
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Hi IRW, I am so glad that you are doing better and your liver biopsy will be B9. Hugs!
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Irw......It was great to talk to you and I am so glad you are better. You sounded good! We will all be waiting for the liver biopsy results......negative for anything serious, of course!
I have a question. I have been having fairly persistant heartburn and reflux for the past few weeks. I have been on Nexium for about a year and it has never failed. Now lately the heartburn is becoming a problem. Does anyone else have this, or know what may cause it? I have read that radiation can cause problems........
Night all!
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Janis, I thnk radiation causes more problems than anyone tells us about. I went through chemo with just a mild amount of nausea, but since rads, there are certain I just cannot eat without wishing I had not touched them. Could you call your PCP to see what he says? I hope you will be able to sleep comfortably tonight.
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Another question..did anyone have hypothyroidism before being diagnosed? I had it and now that I have had radiation my TSH levels are out of whack (high) and they still haven't fallen into the normal range, even with increased synthroid. I have read that some have thyroid problems after radiation, but other sources say it shouldn't happen. Anyone have a similar experience?
Irw glad you are home and hope the liver biopsy is normal. My father had a very diseased gall bladder this past summer. It was removed, and since then he has had stones taken from his liver twice They think they got the last one, last week. Those nasty stones can back up into the common bile duct. My father is 84 and doing well now, especially since all of the stones seem to be gone. He is a tough old bird. Hopefully you have seen the last of your troubles with the gall bladder.
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Gigil, Have been on synthroid for twelve years. I think it is okay. Haven't had it checked since diagnosed.
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Popping in to say I'll be waiting for good results from Lisa's liver biopsy, too...
I also never heard not to sleep on the BC side. I sleep on mine. I only had a sentinel node biopsy though.
Love to all you ladies!
Steph
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Gigil,
The only things I know about thyroid and rads is that depending upon what they're radiating (secondary nodes under collar bone or just the breast and where on the breast) you can get a bit more scatter to the thyroid. I talked with my MO before rads about using a collar since I'd already had a pre-cancer tumor on my thyroid 30 years ago (due to childhood radiation, interestingly). He didn't feel the collar would do me much good, as I was going to get more internal spread of the rads than any exterior "overflow" for lack of a better word. It is clear that radiation can cause thyroid cancers, but the kind of rads we got typically doesn't cause it. I have heard of several women having voice problems with rads though, so you know the thyroid is also taking a hit.
I think the thyroid goes nutty though because of the total onslaught to our bodies. That and women will typically get a lower thyroid as they age. They aren't even testing mine right now. I'm just continuing my regular dose and letting it even out .... Hopefully...
I know this doesn't really answer your question, but it is the result of my thyroid history and rads.0 -
Gigil
I have taken thyroid replacement since about 1963. For the first several years it was proloid (taken from pigs), but sometime in the early 80's (as best as I can remember) they stopped making that available and I have been on Levothyroxin ever since. I take 1.5mcg a day and that keeps me in the lower side of the normal count...
Vicks
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Hi all, checking in. I also was not told not to sleep on bc side. Could this be why I am having pain and heaviness in the breast? I'm in my 4th week and fairly symptom free except for redness and this pain. Some nerve pain but can tolerate it.
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Janice I had a lot of stomach problems. Hoping it was all related to the gallbladder. I hope yours settles down soon. You have been through so much.... I sleep on my breast cancer side to. For me it would be hard not to. Are you not suppose to? Really?
Gigil I had to have a thyroid US about 2 months ago my lvls were high and it was enlarged. My Dr. is just watching mine for now she says our bodies go through so much with RADS.
I am on my 4th month of Tamoxifen. So far just the hot flashes and some mild aching in my joints. It truly is NOT that bad. Waiting for biopsy results is the hardest part... Thanks everyone for just listening.
Kate how are you doing??? Welcome to all the new ladies. This is a great place to come. The ladies here are wonderful...Hugs
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