Radiation recovery
Comments
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Wow Joan you are one busy lady! Such fun trips planned. We haven't done anything really fun this summer. All our energy and money is dedicated to home remodeling and grandkids. I would love a beach weekend. We are planning to go to a Notre Dame football game this Fall. The campus is gorgeous and the stadium just got a $400 mil facelift with new student center, seats, new additions to stadium, etc. can't wait to see it!
DH is going camping with son Gabriel, his wife and their 2 boys in a few weeks. They are big time campers. Not my thing. DH skipped the family reunion in Texas but his dad went with other family members.
My sister wants us to visit she and BIL in Kennesaw, Ga for a weekend. We might be able to do that maybe later this month although she had a big milestone birthday coming up in September and I would like to see her then.
Your DH and I share the drill sergeant label. My DH is more like you. Kudos to you guys for raising Kyle. That can't have been easy but sounds like all is well now. DS knew he needed to be making a home - his own for he and the boys. What he didn't plan on was my ultimatum he needed to move now. He moved Friday. DH went to help him with an electrical problem. Got it fixed thankfully. House is nice in a decent neighborhood. Not his forever house but a good starter house plus he is renting.
Bless Caroline's heart. It's hard to share Mommy. I have 3 stepsons so I can relate to jealousy issues. Blended families are difficult but certainly doable.
Sorry about your friend's husband. I'm glad you are going to visit now. Never been to Montana.
DD hasn't spoken to me since we didn't hand over the money she said she needed. Long story with her. Suffice to say she gives a whole new meaning to Aesop. It's sad but a reality. She is supposed to have kidney surgery this month. I'm still debating about calling her X to find out if her story checks out. DH doesn't want me to. He thinks it's a waste of time and she has put me through the ringer so many tomes
Enjoy Cape Cod. Sounds heavenly.
Hope the rest of our buddies check in soon. It is too quiet.
Good luck with your tests.
Diane
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Yes, it is too quiet here! But we can keep this going...
I would like a day at the beach myself...I just don't go. So busy. And trying to clean out some clutter.
Today is the first day of my commitment to dental reconstruction. I am very nervous about all stages of this procedure. I have to pay 1/3 today and get the molds done. I hate sitting still and having that stuff in my mouth until it sets. UGH.
Between this dental work and slowly renovating our house (did not start yet) I will exhaust my savings over the next year. However, I do plan to keep working. I will try to cut down my hours, even though it can result in a few dollars less in retirement.
I am glad to hear that your son is settled and that he is interacting with you and DH. He will surely enjoy being on his own and making his own decisions.
I am sorry to hear that your DD is not communicating. I know how hard it is to let them figure it out sometimes. If she has a genuine need and you can help, you can always make that decision down the road.
My grandson spends a lot of his paycheck. He lives in a very nice apartment with his gf and rent is high. Then he just bought a clunker which died so he went out and bought a brand new car.
He got a new job and has to commute so I'm glad he will be safe. But a new car! very costly. So, I was paying his cell phone bill through college. He has not taken it over yet. And he got a new phone so those payments are going on my bill. I want to make him pay; but I know he can't. I have to start cutting our spending in half as we prepare for retirement in the near future.
Kids are our kids for the rest of our lives! But we have to let them grow up and figure it out.
I have to get ready for my appointment ...hope to check in later.
I have to work one more night in the classroom....it is an assistant job for another professor. I only had to go in three nights and this is the last. I should be done before 8pm.
Hot and humid summer weather here! I kind of iike it.0 -
Joan - I too wish our buddies would check in just to know they are okay. Everyone is busy so it's hard.
DS has a cute house. Roomy and in a decent neighborhood. He has decorated it well I'm sure with a little help from a "friend." He is however a bit OC like me when it comes to keeping things orderly. That's a challenge when his boys are staying with him. He does have a playroom for them. I'm hitting garage sales constantly for toys and furniture for him. So not like me. I used to have them but never go to them. Now it's the polar opposite. Too much work having them. Found a cool media stand and chest of drawers for him. Good prices.
DD is a lost cause. Years and years of our roller coaster relationship. I could fill a book. I don't think she really wants to be close, she only wants me to pay forever because she is convinced no matter what I say that I abandoned her. Frankly I'm tired of trying. This has been going on for almost 20 years. I love her kids but they don't really know us. That's not from lack of trying. I'm a perpetual optimist but even I have to accept it's futile. Sad but true. It was pay up because I owe her or adios forever. Pretty telling.
I know you hate to ask him to pay his phone bill. I had to constantly remind my son about his car insurance payment. He was on our family plan. Thankfully he shopped around and got a better rate with another company so he has his own now. They have to stand on their own 2 feet. We won't be here forever. He paid his car off a few months ago. He's very frugal and does w/o to save $.
You do have to plan for your retirement. Idk when my DH will retire. He loves his job. We are paying off debts right and left in anticipation of his final day on the job. Our biggest expense is our house note. I so need to win the lottery!
Thing is we work for years and years looking forward to the day when we can hang it up. I am so busy despite taking early retirement from Federal Express. I couldn't be doing all this babysitting if I was still working. So things happen for a reason.
We are celebrating my sister's 70th birthday September 9. Her birthday is Sept 8.She and BIL are coming to Collierville for her party. Family pretty much because her friends can't make the trip that day. Shopping for a gift now. Tough given she has everything.
Have a good week! Brutally hot here and high humidity. Allergies are in overdrive.
Diane
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I read of your recovery with great interest since I am in the midst of having radiation now. I also have grown children and I am trying to back out of a lot of their problems because mostly I worry and they usually work things out for their selves. My husband is retired and I plan on working 4 more years. I won't really be old enough for the benefits, but will have my pension, I have been working here for 31 years now.
Glad to meet you all. - Amy
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Wow Misty that's a long time on a job. My sister retired from IBM after 38 years. Not the norm these days.
My youngest son and I are close so it was hard to cut the apron strings with him. He went through a difficult time the past 5 years with his drinking and partying. It took a toll on my DH and I. I'm already a worrier so it was compounded by his antics.
Thankfully he has turned his life around. He has a college degree and a good job and twin boys 23 months old. Whole other story.
They have to stand on their own 2 feet. We won't be around forever. We help when we can but I have to be careful not to mother him too much. That is a challenge
Diane
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Hi All,
I completed radiation the end of December. And, ever since April - I have had on and off redness - on the area of my breast that was radiated.
I have had 3 ultrasounds and have seen my MO 3 times for this. Each time, the radiologist tells me it's NOT IBC. I make her repeat what she's saying each time too!!
My last MO visit was on 7/5. And, this time she wrote a Rx for 20 days of antibiotics. (My second round of these!!)
She said it's "not" radiation recall! and thinks it might be an infection. BUT, I have noticed that it seems to come back after I have worn a shirt that was close to my breast or have been in the sun. (However- I don't go outside topless LOL!!).
Also, it never seems to (completely) go away. And, what's weird is that the top half of my breast (which received less radiation) seems to be tan.
I am scheduled to have my tissue expanders out and 2nd phase if reconstruction next month.
And,my MO wants me to have a skin and chest wall biopsy (when I have my procedure).
This whole thing is so ANXIETY provoking!!
Any insight on this???
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I had one flare up and after a week, I tried NO-AD suncream on it and it went away in no time. I bought mine at Walmart, but you can probably find it other places. It has avobenzene in it. That's all I can figure out. It happened after I was out walking in the sun and became too warm. So don't do that.
Hope this helps!
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without a skin biopsy, they can't tell if it is radiation recall. This is what my RO told me. Sounds like recall to me, keep the area cool , wear high spf sunscreen in that area as well. Let us know how u make out.
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The docs you should be seeing are your RO, who is the best trained to assess skin issues after rads, and your plastics doc, who might find it is something associated with your expander.
That said, my vote is for radiation recall, as sun exposure seems to be a contributing factor.
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Thanks Marijen, 70charger and BrooksideVT!! - I just put SPF 50 sunscreen on it and will try the NO-AD sun-cream...and fingers/toes crossed as I'm so sick of having this problem!!!
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Also - has anybody experienced this: the redness is practically NON-existent when I wake up in the morning - but - gets a little redder - as the day goes on. Especially right after being in the shower (I have a habit of taking very hot showers - I'm sure that doesn't help!!).
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You're welcome Scared67. I think you are going to have to get used to warm to hot showers, at least until it stops flaring, and don't let it pound on your chest.
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scared67 , I find if I wear a bra it keeps body heat in leading to redder skin. The warmer the clothes the redder it gets. The hotter the day the redder it gets. My redness never leaves ..ever.
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70charger - try the NO-AD, it was amazing. Red gone in hours.
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Thanks so much 70charger and marjen!! Your posts help me tremendously!!! So glad that I'm not the only one but sorry (at the same time) that you've had to go thru this...
I have noticed that after being outside with a tank top or something light weight on - I can feel the sun coming thru my shirt... And, this whole problem actually started when the weather was getting warmer and I didn't need to wear a sweater or jacket... I live in the SF Bay Area and I think the sun is more intense than the other places that I have lived...
I made another appointment (for Tues) with my MO - to see about getting a skin biopsy now (instead of waiting until next month when I have my Tissue Expanders out). Because, I'm getting more and more scared from googling it...
In the meantime - off to the store to buy some NO-AD
Thanks again for all your help!!!! I will keep you posted!! :-)
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Welcome misty - glad to have you here. As you have noticed, radiation "recovery" can include family life too.
Many of us in this group have a few years of recovery behind us (5.5yr for me). I had few side effects but did have a lot of itching and peeling skin. In fact, the skin on the affected breast peeled right off the nipple. the pigment was removed and did not come back! Every now and then I think I should get some color tattooed where the skin peeled. But of course it is not a priority.Scared, you are doing a great job of keeping on top of this redness issue. That's what we have to do many times....we take charge of the problem and continue to seek answers. Waiting is never good, especially if you are anxious. There definitely seems to be a correlation between warmth, sun, and increased body activity over the day. You should be relieved that IBC is not being considered. The biopsy should confirm and rule out infection as well. I hope you get results that will put your mind at ease.
My redness went away fairly quickly - in a few weeks. A tan remained.
I noticed today while having an echo cardio scan that when she pushed on the area near my surgical scar, it was still so tender. She kept going over and over it and of course i thought there was something wrong....so I asked her, and I told her there was scar tissue there. She did not realize that she was on peripheral breast tissue. I don't think the tenderness will ever go away. But I don't usually think about it.
Diane, it sounds like your son is doing a good job of making a home for himself and the boys. And now you can visit at their house. It is a relief when our adult children are truly independent. My youngest does spend money but his girlfriend is frugal. She saves and paid off her student loans quickly. She rewards herself with economical travel to places she wants to see. If my youngest doesn't tow the line with his share, she will not put up with it. I hope he learns.
We just got back from Cape Cod Thursday, and I got to visit my granddaughters in MA overnight while I was traveling. It was great. We made slime and plaster strip paper mache'....I crocheted doll clothes. And I took the two girls (9 and 6) out to eat. They were crazy but fun! It has been so long since I saw the older one but we just picked up where we left off. She is grown up and still a kid. Tomorrow we are traveling again to visit friends in Montana. The weather is bad through the midwest so am a bit nervous and worried about cancellations and connections. We won't be gone long. My friend's DH is being treated for rare leukemia and this is the only time we have to visit. He is doing well right now, but there is no cure or remission. And the treatment brings a very dangerous side effect.
I had a terrible tooth pain when I arrived in Cape Cod. I already have an appointment to have it fixed; but my dentist said to come in right away on the way home from my 6 hour drive. I canceled...too much going on. Echo test today and early flight tomorrow. I am praying that the tooth will not flare up again. It was bad enough for narcotics which helped.
Right now, just Advil is working.Well, hello to everyone who is not stopping by....hope to hear from y'all soon.
Have a good night/day and week end.
Joan0 -
Thank you Joan. My son is the frugal one. He saves and does without. His X GFF wasn't a big spender but more likely to buy a bargain whether she needed it or not. It created a few "disagreements" when they were living together. It was always a challenge to separate where the money was spent because she has 2 daughters as well as the twins. He was good to the girls but he was also on overload with 4 kids.
My friend and I bought a lot of things for the girls too. I bought school clothes for her oldest and my friend bought a lot of things from Gymboree for all of them. We spent a small fortune in food, toys and small furniture not to mention we drove across town and babysat several times a week during the week for multiple hours. We were happy to help but I gotta admit it was exhausting. I can't spread myself that thin anymore with son in his own house now.
Your visit with your granddaughters sounds like it was fun.
Ouch I hope your tooth gets better. I have had multiple tooth issues over the years. I had an abycess tooth once. Brutal. I was chasing pain pills with Tylenol. My dentist gave me a script for Amoxicillin. It does help at least with the swelling.
Good news from a church friend whose daughter had biopsies on her breast. They found a few areas of concern that have proved to be non-cancerous. She is only 21. This lady's daughters - she has 2 - have both tested positive for the BC gene. Ugh.
Be safe in Montana. I know your friend appreciates you making the trip.
Sweltering heat again today. Hitting the garage sales for some finds for my son. I bought a media stand - really cool - a chest of drawers and toys. Great buys.
Haven't heard from DD about surgery to remove cancerous kidney. No surprise but still concerned. It's sad we have come to this when she needs all the help she can get.
Sorry for you guys with issues from Rads. I was blessed not to have any. Great advice and suggestions from you ladies in the know. Btw my affected area is still numb. Probably will always be.
Have a nice weekend!
Diane0 -
Thank-You Joan!! I'm surprised that neither my RO or MO ever asked me (or brought up) the fact that sun exposure or heat could cause a flar-up...
I've done some internet research and actually found a couple of articles on this...it's actually not that uncommon - which really puzzles me as to why this was never even mentioned to me when I finished rads...
Anyway - I started wearing SPF 50 on my right side on Thursday & and have already noticed a difference. I have my appointment with the MO in Tuesday and am really hoping the redness continues to go away!!! (Marijen - I haven't been able to find the NO-AD but might order on Amazon!)
My 10 yr old wants me to take her to Golfland today (which has water slides). Eek - I will be doubling down in the sunscreen. I am already very pale and not sure it's a good idea!! Oh well!!!
I hope everybody is doing well and has a great weekend!!!!
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Scared if your sunscreen is working that's what matters. Would you tell us what the ingredients are? No-Ad has avobenzene
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Marijen I just checked the bottle - yes it does contain avobenzone!! :-)
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Hi scared, what I don't understand is why it works after the fact or when your skin doesn't see the sun., because the redness is coming from within. It does say avobenzone should not be used on broken skin. After figured out it works, I put it on everday for a week. So far the redness hasn't come back. And mine was so red you could see all the capillaries under the skin.
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Wow Marijen!! So glad it worked!! What a relief!!!
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No-Ad line of sunscreens are not sold in Canada. Glad to hear things are working for u guys.
Spent all day yesterday pitting my cherries, bumper crop this yr even with the hail.
Having my post-op eye visit this morning, fingers crossed.
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70charger - in your pocket for your appointment!!
Also, I don't know if you can shop on Amazon in Canada (but, I think Amazon is international) Anyway, I buy "Australian Gold - for kids - SPF 50" on Amazon mainly for my DD. But, I use it too because my skin is very white and burns easily. And, it works great! I, also, found NO AD on there...
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Appointment went no more drops, go back in 2 mos to check eye pressure.
Sunday was the pits, literally! Did first pick on the cherries, hand pitted 33 bags, that's 132 cups!!!! Lots more to ripen on the trees. Raspberries are in & need picking. Peas should be in next week. granddaughter & I did 11 bags of Saskatoons (44 cups) also called service berry or june berry. And so it begins.
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Wow Fran you are such a busy girl. Makes me tired thinking about doing all of that.
Good news on eye problem.
The heat advisory continues here. I do yard work like mowing, watering, raking leaves and pine needles and pulling a few weeds but that's about it. I do all of that in the morning. It's 82 by 9:00.
This weekend DH is going to help DS tear down a shed in his backyard. Unsightly and has squirrel nests in it. Hope there aren't too many varmits inside.
My FIL celebrates his 93rd birthday Sunday. SIL is having a family birthday party at her house. She has a swimming pool which is good. DS is bringing the twins. Firsf time w/o his X GFF.
DS celebrates a milestone birthday in September. My brother is hosting her birthday party at his house. She lives in Georgia. Wanted to get her really nice not cheap hoop earrings with sapphires but yikes so expensive. She doesn't wear a lot of jewelry - only earrings and her wedding go ring. I've been to a number of places including a friend who owns a jewelry store.
My DS bought me some beautiful ones for Mothers Day years ago the day he graduated from college. Bought them at Macy's but they don't have them anymore - not even anything close. So I'm still on a mission. She has everything so it's not like there are many options.
Stay cool everyone!
Diane
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Hi, I am traveled out!
Less than 2 days after driving back from Cape Cod to Long Island, we got up at 4am to catch our plane out of LaGuardia airport in NY. (my least favorite....short runways and water everywhere). But we made it!
Fran, when in Montana, we were about 40 minutes from Glacier NP. That is close to Canada. They had a heat wave the week before we got there. This past week the weather was very cool in the mornings and evenings, (50s) but sun was very hot in the day.
The cherries are in season in northern MT. I saw farm stands and an orchard where the bright red cherries were hanging from the trees just waiting to be picked. It sounds like a lot of work. Everyone dreams of having an orchard or fruit bushes; but it does take time and it seems the work comes all at once!
Do you freeze the fruit?
I am glad to hear your eye exam was good. What a scare. Our body's ability to heal and recover is amazing in many ways.Scared & Marijen, I am glad you are finding products to relieve the post-rads skin issues. (I think we need to call you something besides Scared! You sound like you are managing quite well.)
After almost 6 years, I still spray my surgical area, and the axillary areas that were irradiated, with SPF 50. I allow myself 10 to 20 minutes a day in the sun without sunscreen on other areas for Vitamin D in summer. Then I spray with SPF 30 all over as needed.
We do go to the beach and the past few years we use an umbrella. I go in and out as I feel hot or cool.
I hope you both continue to recover from annoying symptoms and side effects.Diane, we had a good time in MT with my friends. Ray was doing very well while we were there. He was up and ready to go daily, then took naps between our outings. My friend Dee is not doing so well. She is caretaker for Ray and the house. She makes sure he eats well and keeps on top of his appointments. They have mice in their home that they just moved in to, and cannot find where they are coming from. I spotted several myself. The traps were effective but when I left, there were still one or two hiding out. It was distracting but I got used to it. Dee was frantic as it took a lot of time to set the traps and then clean and reset every few days.
We stayed right near Flathead Lake which is so beautiful and huge! There are mountains surrounding the area; but mostly we stayed in the valley.
What type of earrings are you looking for? I have been shopping for jewelry. Did you try eBay? They have so much and many items are new with box or verification of authenticity. I lost some very valuable jewelry on my trip back from California. I have tried to replace some of it that was gifts from my kids. One bracelet arrived and was clearly not "new" or genuine. You have to check the return policy. I believe I can send it back and be refunded. You mentioned Macy's -- they have sales with up to 70% off. Great prices. But of course, only if you find what you want. Send me a photo if you can find one....I have been searching jewelry sites lately.
It sounds like your family party will be great. I hope you all have a great time and keep cool in the pool! 93!!! wow....never thought of being that old.Hey everyone, come say hi. When I travel I think of all the friends here I'd love to see! Is it possible? Maybe this fall in the northeast or spring someplace more central. We have a few ladies to round up here.
Joan0 -
Joan so nice to see u out & about & posting a lot. Yes I freeze all my fruit & veggies. I don't do any canning. I don't trust it as I have had botulism from it when I was a teenager. It is a lot of work but tastes so good in the winter.
Anyone heard from Josie? I sent her a pm but have had no reply.
Bunkie is in & out of hospital with her vertigo. They still have not found anything that works for her.
Did a car show yesterday all day. It was nice to just have a day off. We have been having a heatwave. Thursday night we had REALLY high winds with sheets of heavy rain. It uprooted a huge tree in our ft yard. This tree is about 40 ft tall & about 18 in across. it missed the house thank goodness. Our neighbors tree took out the fence. Friday we took 2 loads of branches to the recycle place. Our neighbor took the other loads & fixed the fence as it was his tree. When it came down it took out 3 of my column poplars. Just missed my shed. What a mess. Doing more of that clean up today.
Enjoy what's left of the summer! Fran
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Joan , thank you so much. My sister doesn't wear much jewelry and what she does wear is usually gold hoops. I checked Macy's, Dillards, Gattas jewejry(friend owns it), Jarrod's, Kay's, Zale's and Penny's. Even checked Cosco. Didn't think of EBay. Good idea. She is so hard to please.
Nice party for DH's dad. I should live that long.
Mice - ugh! We had them in Louisiana when I lived there. I could hear those little Mickey and Minnies scratching in the pantry. We also had snakes given we were near the bayou. They were real scary.
Sounds like a good trip. I bet she is spent. The caregivers usually are. So much responsibility. It's exhausting. My FIL was on overload when my MIL had Alzheimer's.
I wondered about Josie too Fran. She's usually posting by now. In fact I worry about all our buddies who are MIA. Those trees - yikes. Glad you guys weren't hurt. DH just cut down s 50 ft tree by his lonesome. I was nervous to say the least.
I would love to hook up Joan. I would def travel to your neck of the woods.
Have a good week everyone!
Diane
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Hi everyone,
Sorry I've been MIA. I have been busy working and my granddaughter Maisie is here just about every day. I just kind of hibernated during the heat wave. Nice weather now though.
I've got news. I'm going to be a grandma again!!! Sarah finally told me yesterday only because I confirmed it when I let her dog out this weekend and saw the ultrasound pics on her fridge. I approached her about it Sunday. She didn't speak to me for a day and I practically had to drag it out of her. She acted like she was ashamed. It kind of hurts because she did not want to tell me and she will be 6 months pregnant next week.
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