Radiation recovery
Comments
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Janis, I hope everything went easy today. I tried to get in your pocket with carrot sticks but nobody would let me in, so I waited here
Ptdreamers, I still have a small seroma. I think most of them resolve over time....my bs didn't seem too concerned. Is it second opinion time for you?
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Janis, I am in your pocket too!!!
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Hi! I finished my chemo November 29 and rads February 29 (I had really bad burns), but I'm a little concern because my wbc are still really low (2.6) How long after radiation do low white and red blood cell counts rise?
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Janis, I'm thinking about you today as well. Looking forward to hearing back from you to see how you did. I have been busy gardening, so haven't had time to bake a cake. Drooling over the pictures, however. Truebff the red velvet cake sounds yummy. It was nice having a break from thinking about bc. I am distressed today to hear the news aboout Robin Roberts. I have to say news like that hits me pretty hard. I usually stay away from the evening news for just that reason.
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On a more serious note, I'm going to experiment on the weekend with a carrot cake.....
don't laugh....recipe calls for kefir, stevia(replace sugar) gluten free flour....I know, sounds aweful, but it got great reviews. Have some guinea pigs lined up to try....will post the recipe if I get the thumbs up👍0 -
Hi Ladies,
The mammogram went well. I was just a little uncomfortable but it was not painful. After I was done the tech told me they would mail the results to me by the end of the week. I asked about getting them sooner, and she said they did not have a radiologist in today. Before I left I talked to my friend and Navigator, Nanette. It was so good to see her. Much to my surprise, she phoned me later this afternoon to tell me my Mammogram was clear and normal! It was such a relief to hear those words.
Thank you all for the good wishes, support, the love. Thanks you so much! You gals are the best.
Love, hugs to all,
Janis
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Congratulations.......perhaps a small celebration with some CAKE💃 On a more serious
note...it's wonderful.....soooo happy for you.0 -
Oh dear, the Robin Roberts news is very distressing.
Ralston, my docs believe it or not at U of M do not take blood tests after radiation and told me my body would bounce back on its own in a year. There are some pros and cons to that. Many other cancer centers take many more blood tests. A few months ago, I was distraught over my sense of weakness. But you see, there is also the problem of looking for trouble, which is also not helpful. Somewhere there has to be a balance. I am just at 6 months post radiation and in the last 8 weeks, every single week I've gotten stronger and more energy.
But I've also wrapped a support team around myself including nutrition, counseling, some alternative Chinese medicine, physical/occupational therapy, friends, spiritual support, exercise (I know it may not make sense but it helps build and restore the energy), and a schedule where I do not schedule ANY mornings - in case I don't get enough or quality sleep at night, I have this cushion for myself. I also don't go to scheduled events/appts. without checking in with myself so if I need more, I get more downtime or sleep or rest days and I also cancel if I'm beat.
When my western doc didn't take tests, I was, at first not happy about it. But when my eastern med. guy started looking under the bed for stuff, I realized you can go to extremes, either way and that I didn't want to ignore problems, but I didn't want to go look for problems either or scare myself (had enough of that - whew!). The western doc said my blood would probably look weak right after radiation, but that it would recover. I try to listen to my body and now I realize, it is getting better.
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mmm, carrot cake glutten-free sounds right-on!
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Scottie,
You've definitely joined the right group if you're starting out with carrot cake. I'll just ignore the wholesomeness of it as I'm sure it will be great. Everything with cream cheese is great in my book.
Truebff, my docs don't do blood tests either but I thought it might be because I didn't have chemo. I now think they're just letting my body get on with the healing without much intervention. I agree with your view on it all.
Ralston, it seems to me that while I started feeling much better 3months after rads, it has taken these 7 months to feel much more normal. Perhaps the same is true for those white blood cells too.
Janis, I'm so glad you've gotten thru this mammo milestone, and have your results too...whoopie....onward and upward.
Speaking of which, Kate, when's your flight out of town? Soon I think. Are you sweltering down there....we're quite warm here in Northern Calif.0 -
Wow.....that is quite a team you have behind you......Ι have just finished rads and have had thoughts about going down your road....haven't decided yet. I'm just recovering from
My skin breaking down and developing a fungus. Today is the first day where I basically don't have pain. Was wondering how long I should wait before putting on a bra?0 -
On another note, do any of you take statins? A new article in Sceince News about statin drugs indicate that they (at least the lipophillic ones like zocor and mevacor) actually help fight cancer reoccurances in breast cancer patients.
Hmmmm....I may have to relook my problems with taking these statins and take them again.0 -
Janis...congrats on the mammo...I have yet to do that and I have to admit I am nervous.
That is really sad about Robin Roberts! I hope she does as well as she did with the BC.
MostlySew...yes I take lipitor which is a statin. I have been taking it for more than a decade. Keeps the chloresterol on track.
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scottie, we all need love and support and building a team, including healthy routines, is something we can build, brick by brick, or person by person.
It's taken time and the right order for some of these pieces and also, knowing who and what fits, who and what doesn't, and how much we can -or can't- do -without getting overwhelmed. (Some weeks I have had to say: "no appointments.") But I believe deeply that we are whole people and I try to put around me people and friends and family and support for my whole self. I am very grateful for that too.
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Scottiee, also, so sorry you have had the burns. They are so hard. All I can say is this is a good reason for pain meds, for pampering yourself, and it will get better, it will get better, it will get better.
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Mostlysew- Here I was so excited that my doc took me off statins recently! She told me that they raise muscle enzymes and could cause an increase in the aches and pains I was experiencing. (With my new diet she thought it was less likely I would need them and wanted to try for a few months, and then do a blood test.) Now I will revisit this issue with her, after my next test. Thank you for bringing it up.
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Hello all, I find that this process takes more time than I ever realized. I follow this thread but don't post often because I have an ongoing lung issue. I am 2 months out from rads. My skin has healed and I have full range of motion in my shoulder again, working on strengthening my arm and still struggling with energy. But of course I am on armidex and meds for the asthma that has developed. So I am working on being patient with myself. I too am developing a team to help me through. It does take time to find the medical professionals that are kind and caring. I have learned that I can not compare myself to others, I have to listen and pay attention to my own body.
I love having this forum to talk to others about what works for them, but have to remember that we are in different points in our recovery. I get hope from the ones that are further ahead of me and hopefully can help others that come behind.
So not really sure why I am saying all that. What I wanted to say was I got through a water aerobics class today! I have been trying to work up the nerve and energy to do it for a week. Finally I got there today and found that the instructor was an old friend of mine, which made it so much easier. She gave me a big hug when i got there in the locker room and I actually sobbed. I am an emotional wreck most of the time. But I felt so successful, until I couldn't find my clothes in the locker room afterwards. LOL It turned out I was in the women's changing area, but I had left my clothes in the family changing area. They both had lockers #53. I have to just laugh at myself most of the time.
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Janis, so glad you got good news from your mammo!! Woohoo!
Ralston, I'm sorry your WBC is still so low. Mine wasn't low after rads and I didn't have chemo, so I don't know the answer to your question. I do know that yours is low enough to be considered neutropenia, so I would call your MO and ask if it's time to come in for a visit.
My MO did do bloodwork as a baseline when I first went to see her after rads, but it's my local doctor who checked my Vitamin D, etc.
Mostly Sew, I hadn't heard that about statins, but I looked it up. It's a cohort study, not a control study, so there could've been other factors that affected the results. In a different study, they found a lower risk of recurrence with propanolol, a blood pressure drug. At the time I was taking a different one (for migraines). I asked my MO about it and she said normally they wouldn't change treatment or recommend treatment based on a cohort study, but if you were already on one, then certainly, it wouldn't hurt to take the one that had a better chance of lowering breast cancer risk. I got my primary care doc to change the medicine I was taking.
The study about metformin was the same way, and had very promising results for breast cancer, I think. I tried to get my PCP to put me on that, but he wouldn't because I wasn't already taking it.
Anyway, I hope all that makes sense.
Scottie, I went for a few weeks after rads without wearing a bra. I still don't wear a bra with underwire because it hurts. I gladly gave them up!
SAB, I'm so impressed with your weight loss! I've had so much trouble with weight gain after my hysterectomy with taking the AIs too.
truebff, I'm trying to take good care of myself, mentally and physically too. Exercise is still last on my list but I'm trying. I was such a workaholic last year. I took six months off for treatment and almost six months off for healing. I feel so much better. I haven't found a way to balance work and life yet. Maybe eventually...maybe not!
macatacmv, congrats on getting through your first class!
Ladies, you are a joy!
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If there are any of you near enough to get to Michigan, please PM me about an after-cancer-get-pampered camp here this summer (there are a few slots of 3 days each) for cancer recovery (with scholarships).
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Off topic a little although some of you have mentioned weight ISSUES. I am an ex registered dietitian and here is my SECRET.....fill 3/4 of your plate with veggies (great for us with BC anyway, cruciferous of course) It really, really works or have a green smoothie before lunch or dinner, you will not feel like eating so much. Everything I read about BC these days talks about eating LOTS of cruciferous veggies. These days I'm giving rabbits a run for their money🐰
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Thank you Stephn for the info. I'm dying to put a bra on again, although like you, I'll never go back to underwires. Just afraid of the FUNGUS coming back if I start too early.
I love walking and the boobs are big and heavy without some support.0 -
Scottie, yes, I aim to eat 10 servings of fruits or veggies a day, and that is easiest to do if you eat many of them raw in the form of some kind of salad or other. So a typical day is muesli for breakfast with low-fat milk, then a cabbage and chicken salad for lunch and a tomato salad for dinner. I might have a little feta or a little fish along with the tomatoes. Fruit if I need a snack in the afternoon. I also eat roasted veggies a lot. It is easy to make and a pan-ful will last me 2-3 meals.
It takes a bit of adjustment, but once you get used to it, it is not that hard.
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So glad I found this forum!! I've been reading back on many (but not all 65 pages!) posts and feel like I know what's coming now.
I have the first of my 30 radiation treatments today; a little nervous but made so much easier by the lovely tech who "trained" me to use the breathing machine and gently tattoo-d me last week. My RO was kind enough to plan my sessions so that I would be done by the first week of August, when my DH and I are going to take our first vacation in three years (a friend of ours is giving us her cabin for a week on Lake Huron and we desperately need to get away). I have the month of August to recuperate and then - here's my fear - my life kicks into high gear again. I'm in grad school and will be taking three evening classes, and spending two days a week in internship and another two days each week working at the university, so my days will be about 16 hours long. Oh, and I commute an hour each way. So. I am hoping and praying for some relief before the mayhem starts! It sounds like it's possible I'll be less tired by then - but maybe still dealing with some exhaustion. I may have to bring my nap mat and hide under a desk from time to time to take afternoon naps. :-)
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Nancy, that nap mat may be a good idea. That said, I started working again a week after rads and I was fine, although my schedule is way more laid back than the one facing you.
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Like to jump in on the topic of statins. I stopped taking these drugs because of the studies on muscle deterioration. I'm proof that these drugs do cause severe muscle aches/loss. My doctors gave me the thumbs up to stop and I have felt so much better. For my cholesterol I take fish oil.
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kingjr66...I am going to look into that...I have had muscle aches for a decade. How long did you take them?
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Two words on bras: Genie Bra. Soft, stretchy so it accomodates the two different sizes I now need
. Ah Bra is similar too I think. My lymphedema therapist sent me to a bra specialist for an insert, but the bra she sold me ($65) to hold the insert was very nearly the same as the Genie Bra ($20 for TWO) and at that lower price I can throw them in the wash without worry.StephN thank you for your kind words.
Nancy, good luck! I would suggest that you add some gentle daily exercise into your routine, starting now, and that will help to increase your energy for those busy days ahead.
Speaking of exercise, macatacmv, woo hoo! Congrats on making it through the class! Let us know how you like it.
Today I'm going to get my exercise painting our little guest cottage (company is coming end of June!) I've been at it for several days now, and my arm and neck are killing me...I just want it done! We really let our property get into disrepair last year with DH starting a business and my medical stuff, etc. I feel like I'm "reclaiming" my home.
Have a lovely day everyone!
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Schatzi - I took them for over 10 years. I have severe fibromyalgia that I can control but about 8 months ago I noticed that I was so achy and hurt all over, and it felt like my muscles were burning. I went to see my rheumatologist and he asked me how long have I been taking the "statin" med for my cholesterol and told him and he said to stop and see how I feel. I did give it a couple months to be sure and I did see improvement. I also have nerve damage in my legs so they are still achy but I know the difference between nerve pain and muscle pain. I felt the improvement more in my arms.
SAB - I found a stretchy bra by Playtex similar to the genie. They are new and I have never seen them before. I found them in Target and the sizes are small, medium, large and x-large, so the cup size fits all. They are soooooo comfortable and best of all, no under-wire. I have DD's and this bra does have support. Only thing, they don't come in white or black, but do come in bright pink, turquoise, orange and purple.
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Thanks Sab.....I have the ah bras but maybe I should get some genies as well. Which is better?
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Macatac, I'm so glad to hear you made it thru your water aerobics class...way to go! I'm going to my first class in a year tomorrow morning and hope I do as well. BTW, I'm also one who cried easily thru all this, but am now finding I'm MUCH better, thankfully!
The statin question is difficult for me too, as I developed a nerve reaction in my lower legs due to lescol/baycol years ago consequently I won't take them. Still have the nerve damage also. Hmmmmm
Glad everyone's doing so well....and no one even mentioned, ahem, cake, tonight! So I'm having peanut butter oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips for dessert.....my husband is an excellent cookie baker0
