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Radiation recovery

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Comments

  • josie123
    josie123 Member Posts: 1,749
    edited September 2017

    Thanks Diane

    BTW here's my youngest daughters homecoming photo

    image

  • joan811
    joan811 Member Posts: 1,980
    edited September 2017

    Congrats to those who just finished radiation. I hope you will join us here when you can - we share everything from BC issues to family, hobbies, and working...and more. We have all been there and remember the skin irritation, fatigue, and swelling. For me, things went back in place pretty quickly. I did have the redness, itching, and peeling. I had no long-term symptoms.

    Josie, your daughter looks great! So pretty...
    Congrats on the new job...I think it must be good in some ways to be somewhere familiar and to understand what people are going through.
    How is your other daughter doing? I hope she is in good health and spirit.

    I am so sad to hear about the friends and family facing BC recurrence and Stage IV diagnosis. I have a friend who just was diagnosed with bone mets and she is now on chemo indefinitely. Life is hard enough without these lifetimes of worries. Diane, I remember you telling us about Tammy awhile back. Hoping for the best for these ladies.

    Suddenly the weather channel says we could be affected by hurricane Jose. on Eastern Long Island. The big waves at the beach today gave a hint of the energy that is traveling over 800 miles from the storm. It seems to be moving away from the coast, but we will still get rain and breezy winds. I have tix to a Yankees game for Tuesday and that is when the rain is supposed to be here. I live over an hour from the stadium, and it could take longer in late afternoon since I have to go around New York City to the Bronx. If it's canceled, I hope it is before I make the trip. DD got me the tix from her Cablevision rep - seats within 5 rows back from dugout and comes with open buffet with lobster and crab and filet mignon, and all types of comfort foods and sushi...every dessert imagined and a room with nothing but candy and cracker jacks. Funny though, I cannot even eat most foods. Also, if it is rescheduled, I cannot go. Too many hurricanes this year, and more on the way.

    Diane, have you gotten much rain from the storms that traveled inland?

  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 1,568
    edited September 2017
    Thanks Josie. Sorry to hear about your cousin.

    I reached out to the ladies in the Stage IV forum about what to say or how to help her. One lady told me to treat her the same, be there for her and spare her the cliches. Sage advice.

    Great news about your job. Extra $ is always good!

    Diane
  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 1,568
    edited September 2017
    Sorry for double posts guys.
    Your daughter looks so pretty Josie. Love her hair.
    We got rain Joan but that's it thankfully.
    My brothers are fanatic NYY fans. One of them goes to the fantasy camp in Tampa every year. The $5k fee goes to charity. He loves it. He has met a number of the Yankee greats and it helps he has a house in Tampa. He has a room in his house that is a shrine to the NYY. His office has all kinds of memorabilia. He has been to the old stadium and the new one and was there for Jeter's last game. I'm a Notre Dame fanatic - he is all about the Yankees. Our dad was a big fan. I hope you can go. Sounds awesome!
    Thanks for the concern for Tammy. This beast just keeps on giving. Ugh.
    Today is twins 2nd birthday party at son Jeremy's house. Can't believe they are already 2! First time we have seen X GFF's parents since split. Should be interesting. We watched them - use that term loosely- at the rugby game yesterday while son played. Shouldn't have taken them it was way too hot! They had fun though and we were exhausted.
    Busy week with Board meeting, annual physical and neighborhood garage sale.
    Have a good week everyone!

    Diane
  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 1,568
    edited September 2017

    A few pics from twins 2nd birthday. It was sweltering! DS bought them the trampoline so they wanted to be outside - constantly. Should have snapped a pic of the kids jumping on it. DS' friend is a really big guy and bless his heart he stayed outside with them a lot. Son made really good food. Awkward with X GFF's parents there.

    They were overwhelmed with all the presents. We bought them Paw Patrol toddler beds and kid vacuum cleaners. Seriously they are obsessed with them. They got a lot of cute clothes and cool toys. My sister bought them cozy coupes. My son loved his as a child.

    So now they are officially in the terrible twos!

    Neighborhood garage sale tomorrow. Hope I can unload a few things.

    Btw saw my internist today for a physical. Need to lower my cholesterol but other than good reports. Told her about the PA. She didn't seem concerned esp with Radiologist's report.

    Have a good weekend everyone!

    Diane



  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 1,568
    edited September 2017

    imageimageimageimageimage

    image

  • Littleone1
    Littleone1 Member Posts: 1
    edited September 2017

    hello! So excited to be here! I finished rads on Monday and am sooooo happy! I was traveling over an hour for each treatment before work so my appt was at 7:30am. I was getting up at 5:15 and at work by 9. So far the side effects seem to be subsiding. They did get a little worse this week but feel better so far today. Not sure about fatigue bc I am a teacher and just finished week 3 of school so was it radiation tired or first month of school teacher tired? Who can tell? lol I am just so happy to be here! Nice pics btw! Going to see my son for the first time since he left for college in August. It's going to be a great day! Have a good one everyone!

  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 1,568
    edited September 2017

    Welcome little one. Thank you the pics of my twin grandsons are priceless!

    Rads wasn't bad for me. Be sure and rest when you can. I was pretty fatigued halfway through. Bit of burning but nothing major. Lots of ladies here can and will offer their personal experiences with radiation. They have been my salvation from the getgo.

    Diane

  • dtp
    dtp Member Posts: 1
    edited September 2017

    irw333 - I too was very concerned about taking Tamoxifen. Didn't make sense to me to take something to prevent breast cancer that increases my chance of endometrial cancers. My MO said the risk is very small (goes from 0.2% up to 0.6%). I have been on it for 4 weeks now and so far only very mild hot flashes (that could be pre-menopause too) but otherwise no other SE. Fact is I am too afraid of reoccurrence not to take it.

    As for bathroom issues.....I am on treatment #13 of 20 and no major SE so far, however I have started having (TMI ALERT) green bowel movements.

  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 1,568
    edited September 2017

    Sorry just re-read your post. I apologize I just kept rambling on. You are finished with Rads. Good.

    Diane

  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 1,568
    edited September 2017

    imageimage

  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 1,568
    edited September 2017

    Pics of the twins with their first cars! Too cute!

    Diane

  • 70charger
    70charger Member Posts: 591
    edited October 2017

    my tree is bent over with 1 1/2 inches of ice this morn. This sucks!image

  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 1,568
    edited October 2017

    Yuk Fran! It's 80+degrees here.

    Diane

  • josie123
    josie123 Member Posts: 1,749
    edited October 2017

    Diane, those boys are growing so fast and so cute.

    Fran, snow already. Glad I don't live in Canada. Hope you don't lose electric.

    My granddaughter Maisie was one year old Sunday

    imageimageHope everyone is doing well.

    I'm without a job again😞

    Damn Tamoxifen strikes again. It paid really well but everyone that trained me showed me a different way. I'm pretty sure the girl I replaced just wanted her position back since while she was on leave she only got like $180 in short term disability. I was so shocked and devastated. I knew it was too good to be true. After crying to the point of hyperventilating you know the uncontrollable sob. I made my way to my car and got the heck out of there.

    I got no feedback from anyone that they didn't think it was working out. Just trying to keep my head up and not dwell too much😔. When I mentioned how I thought maybe it was my Tamoxifen not allowing me to multi task and how I was a breast cancer survivor my supervisor was shocked and said she didn't know. I didn't tell anyone even though we were working quite closely with my radiation oncologist since radiation can cause hearing loss and I had actually recently ran into him in the parking lot and told him who I was working for. Oh well guess I need to just pick myself up and move on

  • joan811
    joan811 Member Posts: 1,980
    edited October 2017

    Josie, I am so sorry to hear about this unexpected change in the job. It does sound like someone wanted your job. How rude that nobody took time to speak with you about it. Yes, I know those uncontrollable moments...very difficult.
    I hope you find something soon that you will feel as good about.

    Your granddaughter is one?? Wow...times flies!!! How is DD doing? You have given so much to others, Josie...I hope something good comes your way soon.

    Diane, I am happy to hear your brothers are NYY fan=atics. I did get to go to the game. There was an hour of rain which delayed the start. But it worked out well because my friends and I were able to eat in the restaurant with the amazing buffet. It is so stressful to get to a night game....the traffic in the Bronx is pretty awful. I booked a parking garage space ahead and all the roads to the garage were closed. I drove around and around..then a police officer helped me get in to the street I needed.
    So, the Yankees just won their one Wild Card playoff game and are now on their way to Cleveland to play in the ALDS.
    I went to Tampa for spring training with my DD who gets the tickets from her job. It was a perk for cable TV execs. We had a private autograph session with the players. Jeter was there but I was on the wrong line when he showed up. My DD got his autograph but I did not. No matter....it was Jete's last spring training game and we got to go on the field. But it started to rain and the NYYs never came out. So we got to go up in the broadcast booth with the YES network crew. It was really a fun week end with endless food and drinks included from morning to late night. DD also took me to Jeter Day before he retired; and this season I went to the game where his number was retired. I was also at the last game at Yankee Stadium. I hope I am not repeating myself, but you could say I'm a fan.

    Wow...the twins are two!!! Time flies....they are so cute! I love the Cozy Coupes.

    I hope everyone here is doing well this fall. My dental surgery is behind me, and healing is occurring. I have several more months of checks and procedures before my permanent results will be finalized. It has been a real challenge.

    I saw my grandkids in DC in September, and also my grandkids in Connecticut. Traveling is hard after working all week, but it is worth it!!

    More soon...
    Joan


















































  • josie123
    josie123 Member Posts: 1,749
    edited October 2017

    Joan, thanks for the kind words. My DD is doing well although I had to take her to the hospital because she was having contractions last Tuesday. She improved and they released her.

    Sounds like you are doing well after your dental surgery, I'm so glad!! .

    My father in law is now on dialysis due to kidney failure. He just had his first dialysis last night and will have it several times this week. His multiple myeloma has progressed and this is why he's so sick. He's hallucinating due to all the toxins in his body. This all started Sunday evening when his blood sugar dropped and he was unable to stay awake even to drink juice. The paramedics gave him a glucose paste that brought the blood sugar up to 96 but by the time he arrived at the hospital it had plummeted to 36. Unfortunately now his blood pressure is like 180/90. Very worried about him

  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 1,568
    edited October 2017

    Thanks guys those little boys are such a joy! They seem to change daily. They are a lot more vocal although I'm still not sure what the language is.

    So sorry about your job Josie. It does sound like she conspired against you to get her job back. It's such a cutthroat workplace these days. I had a similar experience with a lady who was constantly undermining everything I did. The difference is I hated the job. It was a fill in until I got a better job. I finally had enough and let her have it. I didn't care by then. Luckily FedEx Freight hired me a few months later so you never know. Hope you can find a job soon.

    Tamoxifen does do a number of your ability to concentrate. It's why I couldn't go back to my job at FedEx Freight. It was a very detailed type of job and it became more problematical as time went on. I didn't know about the hearing problem but it makes sense because I've lost some hearing that isn't age related.

    Your granddaughter is precious. First birthday is a BIG one! Glad your DD is okay.

    Joan - wow you are a fan! How fun to be at Jeter's farewell game. He's such a class act. I hope they beat Cleveland. Won't be easy. Thank goodness they overcame the 3-0 hole they were in to start the game and have a good bullpen. Just don't want the evil empire Red Sox to win.

    I know you are so relieved to be healing from your dental surgeries. I have an appointment tomorrow. It's for a cleaning but I know it's a matter of time before I have to replace a partial. Ugh.

    Have a good week everyone. Praying for the victims and families in Las Vegas.

    Diane



  • 6cats
    6cats Member Posts: 199
    edited October 2017

    I just started occupational therapy for the lymphedema in my breast. That has been a good experience so far. I'm challenged because I am supposed to get a compression bra (which insurance will cover), however my local provider is not in network. The closest provider is 120 miles away! I've started the process to get the local pharmacy approved, but they don't help in any way.... my OT is having to do the paperwork!

    Then I went to pick up a bra so I could submit it once approved. The "fitter" said they don't have anything my size, in the brand she "likes"! She gave me a bra that makes me larger than I am when I wear the sports bra that I've been wearing since surgery! Then, because it was too loose, she gave me an insert to provide more compression! Frustrated! And... apparently no company will sell to an individual online, you have to go through someone who is trained!

    So, if you ladies have any brilliant ideas, I'm all ears! who'd a thought I'd get lymphedema with only one lymph node removed!

  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 1,568
    edited October 2017

    6cats - welcome. I'm sorry I don't have sageadvice about the bra and that is troubling to have lymphodema with only one node removed.

    We had a specialist speak to our support group who told us it can happen anytime and not necessarily in the first years after your DX. Scary stuff. Several ladies in our group have it. It's brutal for them. One lady said she was very active remodeling houses and playing golf and never thought she would get it but admitted she didn't pay close enough attention to her heavy lifting. My MO told me not to be lifting 50 lbs. I didn't.

    A Radiologist in our group also had it years ago but doesn't now. Go figure.

    Diane


  • brooksidevt
    brooksidevt Member Posts: 1,432
    edited October 2017

    So sorry to hear about the rotten de-jobbing, Josie. Perhaps it is for the best--it sounds as though either they did not train you properly, or were just lousy people who could/should have clued you in to what was needed. In the long run, it is likely you would have been unhappy with those louts.

    I'm just back from a trip to Turkey, specifically to the ancient city of Ephesus. All wonderful. Came home to "vacationing" modem, so no computer or telephone, and of course there is no cell service in this area. Very peaceful. I've felt like I've been living in the 1800's! On Friday, tech support pronounced the modem dead and sent me a new one, which arrived a little while ago. Nice to be back

  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 1,568
    edited October 2017

    Awesome trip Brookside. I’ve never been out of the country. Even my nieces and nephews have been to Europe. Maybe one day...

    Being without all the modern technology even for a few days would be peaceful.

    DH and I went to fun party of a friend of mine Sat night. DH doesn’t like parties much but he did like this one thankfully. His company is having a big picnic Saturday at a midtown park. DS is coming and bringing his boys and 2 of DH’s other sobs are coming with their children. Should be fun!

    One of my little darling grandsons did a number on DS’s face Sat night. Dove at his cheekbone. Ouch! Pics below.

    Diane



  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 1,568
    edited October 2017

    imageimage

  • josie123
    josie123 Member Posts: 1,749
    edited October 2017

    Brookside,

    Hope you enjoyed your trip sounds exciting. I'm like Diane, I haven't been out of the country either. Maybe someday.

    Thanks for the sentiment It's been a hard couple of weeks. But I'm too stubborn to let it get me down😐.

    My Dear father in law is in kidney failure due to his cancer and is in his final stages. This all occurred before I lost my job. He just was released from the hospital Friday. His birthday is today. We love him dearly. His new normal will be dialysis Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday for 4 hours.

    Diane,

    Ouch I've been head butted before by at least one of my children. Hope your son heals soon.

    Josi

  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 1,568
    edited October 2017

    Thank you Josie. He is on the mend.

    So sorry about your FIL. My friend’sbrother has dialysis 3x a week too. He is on the list for a transplant.

    You have some valuable experience on your resume so I’m sure you will find something soon. You have a lot on your plate right now.

    Diane

  • 70charger
    70charger Member Posts: 591
    edited October 2017

    So I told u guys about the lady in my chemo group that had pleural efflusion & ascities. Last week she went to Er with speech & sight problems. Turns out it spread to her brain. This morning we got news that it has spread to her spine & she only has a few days left. I'm so heartbroken. This is all so fast to comprehend.

  • brooksidevt
    brooksidevt Member Posts: 1,432
    edited October 2017

    So sorry about your friend, Charger. She really has been hit with one miserable thing after another. I'm sending prayers.

    Josie, sending prayers for your father-in-law too. Are you able to spend a little more time with him now that you have a little more free time? I do hope that just the right job lessens that free time really soon.

  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 1,568
    edited October 2017

    I am so sorry Charger. It is happening too fast. It’s so discouraging that we keep losing people we care about to this despicable disease. Definitely praying for her and her family.

    I have 2 friends who are in precarious situations with BC. They are both in our group at church. Such sweet ladies with incredible faith. We are at a loss as to what to say anymore. They know they are in our prayers and thoughts constantly. Still feel so helpless.

    Diane


  • 70charger
    70charger Member Posts: 591
    edited October 2017

    Found out yesterday Peacockgirl (Nichole) only had hours left. This morning she moved on. I just cannot grasp how quick this was. Monday she was texting with girls in our group, Tuesday unconscious & stayed that way. I'm so broken.

  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 1,568
    edited October 2017

    OMG Fran horrible news. So sorry. It’s heartbreaking and so difficult to believe. It’s frightening how we just never know from one day to the next.

    Stay strong. If she has family be there for them. I can’t even imagine how devastated everyone must be.

    Dian

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