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Radiation recovery

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  • rmlulu
    rmlulu Member Posts: 1,501
    edited July 2016

    Fran - ugh, so we will just continue the party....it's a long holiday weekend down south and good old Uncle Sam will just light a few extra sparklers for you!

    Fingers and toes crossed for a seedy date for biopsy and good results.

    Pour yourself a cosm or three!

    (((Hugs)))

    Cindy

  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 1,983
    edited July 2016

    Fran, you will be in my thoughts and prayers. We are in your pockets! I agree with Cindy. Have a cocktail this weekend and try to remain optimistic! Hugs.

  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 1,568
    edited July 2016

    Fran - prayers for a good outcome. Keep the faith.

    Happy 4th everyone!

    Diane

  • Blessedteacher37
    Blessedteacher37 Member Posts: 297
    edited July 2016

    ladies, I have a question...please don't think I'm weird, but I haven't seen anyone address this..

    I had radiation (33 rads) in 2011 on the left for IDC, and then on the right ( 33 rads) for DCIS in 2014. I have no armpit hair, except a stray hair here and there. Is that normal?

    Not really complaining, just wondering....E

  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 1,568
    edited July 2016

    Blessed teacher - I was told it's normal,

    Diane

  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 1,983
    edited July 2016

    Yes, I have read that this is a side-effect (and a good one for us ladies I suspect!)

  • orknitter
    orknitter Member Posts: 61
    edited July 2016

    Blessed, I am so glad you asked that! I finished rads in August 2015 and am still missing half my armpit hair! lol. Another question I have though is nipple color, anyone notice a difference between a nonradiated and the radiated side? It's not much but is noticeable.

  • 70charger
    70charger Member Posts: 591
    edited July 2016

    yes to discoloration & what armpit hair, none for me.

  • ohiofan
    ohiofan Member Posts: 152
    edited July 2016

    Thinking of you, Fran.  Pray all goes well.

    Ohio

  • 70charger
    70charger Member Posts: 591
    edited July 2016

    thanks ladies, not too worried about biopsy, I've had the cervical/ uterine done several times ( every 6 months for 2 yrs) Dr did a pap when I had a yeast infection so of course it came back abnormal so into the cancer center it was. Never get pap done if u have infection, tell ur daughters & friends. Save them the trouble. NP says 80% of women get the thickening from Tamox, pretty sure that's all this is. Will do new plan after biopsy results.

    So the other day I reached out to Miss MIA- Runfree. She got back to me & is doing GREAT, 3 yrs out now, busy as ever. Her hubby has been having some health issues other than that all is good. She says HI to all! BIG WAVE.

    Happy 4th to u all hope u have good family time.

    Gonna work on the 73 charger today, yup another car, Green as well. lol

    Huggers Fran

  • josie123
    josie123 Member Posts: 1,749
    edited July 2016

    Good luck Fran,we will be praying for yo

  • josie123
    josie123 Member Posts: 1,749
    edited July 2016

    Diane,very nice yard and porc

  • brooksidevt
    brooksidevt Member Posts: 1,432
    edited July 2016

    Prayers, Fran. We're all so much more sensitive to bodily changes now, and, for crying out loud, it's really annoying to not be able to tell whether they are from aging, from those nasty anti-hormonals, or something else altogether. Odds are very much, this is nothing to worry about, but worry you must (with us all worrying right along too!)

    Oh, Josie, I so hope your DD manages to find a way to move in across the street, even if you have to help her for a couple of months while she advertises for a roomie. Boy, baby time is sure coming close!

    It must have been so much fun to swim with those doggies! My kids used to love it. Spot would not go near the water, so they'd all go across the street to the beaver pond and the dog would come back soaking wet. "He fell in," they'd say. Yeah, right. They played up, up, and away with him. Luckily, he loved it.

    That's such a lovely way to "do" a staycation, with each kid doing his or her own planning.

    So happy to hear RunFree is doing well. I guess her husband is still having the same health issue? So miserable!

  • josie123
    josie123 Member Posts: 1,749
    edited July 2016

    Brookside,We hope so too.Unfortunately

    Her ex just broke the news he has a brain tumor.Apparently he is to start Chemo around the time the baby is due.I told her to ask for proof.She says she saw the proof.I would like to see it myself.Its in the frontal lobe.That explains a lot.Her Girlfriend that is pregnant and has about her child under 1 yr old that was going to be a roommate is now talking about moving down by the lake with her dad.

    Sarah told us yesterday she and Sean are talking about sharing a house with separate bedrooms.She just thinks she's going to live there until she gets taxes back in Jan/Feb and then she wants to buy her own house.We aren't to happy with those plans.But if its across the street we can at least keep an eye on je

  • josie123
    josie123 Member Posts: 1,749
    edited July 2016

    imageimage

  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 833
    edited July 2016

    Hello ladies, I've been a lurker on this thread for a while. I'm down #7 of 33 rads. The last of my treatment I hope.

    I have so much in common with so many of you. Can I join? I'm a 56 year old mother of 3 in the Charlotte NC area. I'm semi retired from corporate america, but worked at home for Disney before my dx and will go back to them.

    Been married 37 years this september to a dear hubby

    Val

  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 833
    edited July 2016

    Additionally it looks like I'm a later stage (III) than most, and had neoadjvunt chemo IBC and Triple negative. I need all the support I can get. I go between being quite upbeat, to very scared. Medication has helped.

  • brooksidevt
    brooksidevt Member Posts: 1,432
    edited July 2016

    Welcome, Valstim52! So sorry you are here, so happy to meet you.

    Yes, we all yo-yo back and forth between up, down, and everywhere in between. Believe me, the peaks and valleys do kind of even out after a while. We are all here to help, so please do stop by often.


  • brooksidevt
    brooksidevt Member Posts: 1,432
    edited July 2016

    Josie, great photos. Doggies look so nautical!

    If Sean's anger issues are due to a brain tumor, he really may not be able to control his behavior. I'd "suggest" that your daughter receive a go-ahead directly from his doc before giving any serious thought to moving in with him.

  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 1,568
    edited July 2016
    Thanks Josie and I agree with Brookside. She should check with the doctor before she moves in with him. Obviously a brain tumor is serious. Would he make up something like that just to hang on to your DD and/or elicit sympathy? If he did he has some serious mental issues.

    We had DS and all the kids and GFF over for dinner last night. The babies are sitting up now. They were preemies so just a tad behind their age group.

    Thanks for checking on Runfree Fran. Wondered how she was doing. Sorry her DH isn't well.

    Welcome Valstin52. Glad you could join us.

    Diane


    Love the pics with the pooches swimming.



  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 1,983
    edited July 2016

    Welcome Valstin52!

    Josie, I would definitely have your DD check on that "brain tumor" since they are very rare and don't generally pop up just when your girlfriend leaves you who happens to be carrying your first child....hmmmm, seems suspicious to me. I sincerely hope that if he does have a brain tumor that he comes out of it ok. Usually they make sure it is malignant before they treat with chemo and also, it is a rarer treatment for a brain tumor because very few chemo drugs cross the blood brain barrier so it gives me pause for sure. Hugs and hope that your DD comes out of this with strength and love. I know that as her Mom, you are watching all of this carefully. I also, love the pups swimming! xo


  • joan811
    joan811 Member Posts: 1,980
    edited July 2016

    Hi all, I've been reading along and today is the first day I have time...

    It seems like there is so much going on with the ladies here.
    I just realized that my avatar is gone (!??) I will have to find a photo tomorrow.

    Fran, when will you get your results? Praying for the best possible outcome.
    Josie, I really enjoyed your stories about your stay-cation. I am glad DD is doing well. Things seem so complicated when her ex is around. I cannot remember his history, but where are his parents? Isn't this a time when family should be helping him? Your daughter has to make her decision and no matter which way it goes, set firm boundaries. She will find a place to live. I hope it is nearby.

    Cindy, it is good to hear your upbeat words. Always makes me smile! . It sounds like there are some neat things to keep you busy. It's been quite a tough year, and you are a gracious and strong lady. Wishing good things for you.
    Diane, love your ND photo and your club descriptions. It must be fun to keep involved. The babies are getting so big....and I love your flowers. (am jealous - we have deer).

    Brookside, I hope you are enjoying summer and recharging a bit. Are you working from home?

    Valstim, of course you can join us and I hope you stay as long as you need. I have said this before - this is Radiation Recovery and there are many facets to dealing with the aftermath of Rads and BC. Some days we chat about kids or gardens or jobs, and other days we talk about living after BC. It's all part of recovery.
    Many of us are approaching that 5 year mark. But, as you can see, we still need the support here where we can talk about our fears and remnants of treatment with ladies who understand.
    Meanwhile, be good to yourself and rest and recover. You have been through a lot in the past months.

    Nite all,

    Joan

    PS - hi Janis...hope you'll pop in more often.


  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 1,568
    edited July 2016

    Joan - thank you so glad to hear from you.

    I do love being involved in the ND Club. It's obviously my fav school and always has been. The babies are pulling up and attempting to crawl. I went to drop some things off at my DS's townhouse yesterday but they were taking a nap so I didn't get to see them.

    I was worried about how he and GFF were making it so I bought diapers - good grief $25 a pop and I got 2, bottled water, roast turkey and salad from Fresh Market and a $100 gift card from Kroger. I know they aren't destitute but DH and I want to help with something when we can. We bought their bed and gave them lamps, blankets, cookware, dishes and all kinds of household stuff. Her dad gave them a couch and chair. Their place isn't tiny but down the road won't b roomy enough for all of them.

    Idk what will happen after the lease is up. DS is applying everywhere for a new job. He interviews well and does have a degree and work experience. He also has great health insurance which helps a lot.

    While some of his friends are vacationing in Gulf Shores he is the "family" man. I know he is a good dad but I wonder how much he misses hanging out with his friends on vacation. She seems content to live in the nest. Idk why you can't have some semblance of both. He just seems so uptight and regimented. I'm praying hard the situation ends well. Her childhood was very difficult. His was not so DH and I cut her some slack although at times it's really difficult. She tends to be too negative. He is aware and calls her out on it sometimes.

    We all want the best for our children. I wish his lifestyle had been delayed a few years but it is what it is.

    Enough of my whining. Gotta cut the grass b4 it gets to 100 in the shade!

    Diane


  • rmlulu
    rmlulu Member Posts: 1,501
    edited July 2016

    Hi y'all

    Valstim - welcome! Please please join us...when you finish rads go celebrate! Until hydrate and eat extra protein...you got this.

    Josie - swimming in the lake...fun. Baby is almost here yikes. Glad you are close and keep your eyes on things.

    Fran - how are you? Let us know...thinks nag of you.

    Run free - 😊 Doing well, but sorry dh has challenges.

    Diane - ah, our kiddos...ds and babies are lucky you are there for them...gulf shores...the parent in him...hard when our friends are still playing. Hoping things shake out in time for him. Go mow the lawn!

    Brookside - what are you up to this summer.

    Joan - are you head d to CO or Bay Area this summer? No, you e got your beach pass and you are sleeping in the ocean breeze with a book on your lap and wine glass.

    Crazy holiday weekend. My dad had a heart attack on the tennis courts. Yes, 86 plays 5 times a week and competes. He went to hospital where ds works. But it's a holiday weekend no one is available...crazy. I text ds as he was going thru customs returning from vacation. Ds text dr friend and dad gets 2 stents with his gs select medical team and Matt videos the whole procedure... sends pic of heart with second stent going in at 11:58 pm to calm my sister and I down. Luv my ds! Dad said it was comforting to have grandson by his side in or. Went home the next day...tennis in a few weeks...gosh dad is a machine... Very thankful.

    It is hot here...going to splash in pool with pup then head up to the adult pool for some laps...no I'm going to walk in the pool today. Gym later. Do y'all tan your radiated side??? Suit covers most of the girl but I wonder ...

    Janis, Sew, SAB...come out and play!

    (((Hugs)))

    Cindy

    image


  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 1,983
    edited July 2016

    image

  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 1,568
    edited July 2016

    Wow Cindy bless your DS and your dad. Both are amazing! Playing tennis at his age and almost every day. Boy am I a slacker. My older friend who died at 90 played handball until he was 81. Definitely a slacker. DH and I walk the dog a mile almost every night. I need to do a lot more.

    So glad he is on the mend. It's hot here too. Heat advisory. We have a neighborhood pool to splash in. Time for a dip after the lawn is done.

    April - what a cute pic! They are just precious.

    Diane

  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 833
    edited July 2016

    thanks so much for the warm welcome everyone.

  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 1,983
    edited July 2016

    Guess I should read closely...Cindy, thank goodness your Dad is ok! Hugs!!

  • 70charger
    70charger Member Posts: 591
    edited July 2016

    Welcome Val

    I see everyone is doing not too bad, wish I could say the same. ended up in ER Wed night with Diverticulitis. Talk about pain! No more Saskatoon cheesecake for me. Pain is better today, on clear liquid diet, hungry as all get out. On 2 anitibiotics. I guess I have to change my diet to exclude all my raspberrries & saskatoons, ugh! Still no word on an apt date for uterine biopsy, sigh, my poor old body is falling apart. Going back to bed now sitting hurts the gut.

  • josie123
    josie123 Member Posts: 1,749
    edited July 2016

    Cindy,prayers for your dad.Thats wonderful that your son could get him the best of treatment

    April,cute pictures!!

    I had to share a pic of me and my two older sisters at my nephews wedding.My sister Mary on the left is the one from Connecticut

    image