Radiation recovery
Comments
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Hi Macatac, Scottie and Lacey. Boy, you guys are certainly having it rough, and I'm sending a big hug for each of you. And to all the rest of us going thru this, no matter what stage of recovery.
Lacey, I haven't heard of the cruciferous/thyroid connection, but I do know that many of us have had to deal with getting their thyroid functions back to normal after finishing treatment. I personally don't worry too much about the latest findings on these things and try to just eat a balanced diet consisting of many different foods. I'd guess that if your body is craving the kale, then you should go for it but not to the exclusion of other vegetables.
Macatac, that's good news about the lungs, I think. I'm glad the Dr. Had some ideas of how to calm down the bronchial tubes. Sounds to me like the cold you got during rads was certainly the start of all this. Taking care of yourself now will certainly help.
Scottie, I've been braless since the second week of rads. I finished rads the first of November and generally still can't wear a bra. Not a pretty site as you say (I'm 64 and dd at a minimum) but its quite freeing. Summer is a problem though as the over shirt trick doesn't work too well. I'll just join you with the flowers and Birkenstock shoes and smile sweetly!
One of you asked what we did that helped recovery. My recipe has been to make certain I was still getting at least 60 grams of protein, preferably more, daily. An interesting trick for a vegetarian with high cholesterol. I've learned to say no. I've learned to sit down and rest even with the house falling down around my ears. I've learned to let my husband help out. He's still doing all the cooking and all the dishes even though I could do it now In short I've learned to listen to my body. At least I'm trying to learn how to do that. I exercise daily, but I've learned not to push it too hard as each time I do I end up with a new problem. Some days I don't exercise but I don't allow myself to feel guilty about it when my health prevented it. Many fewer days like that occur now.
So.....7 1/2 months post rads, I'm finally getting my strength back. I'm sleeping better and that makes everything easier to face. I have learned that my energy level will probably not come back to the level it was before BC, but that's OK too.
All right, I'm done preaching.....where's the torte? Or the mousse? Low fat of course.0 -
Hi MostlySew: you made me chuckle, which is a rare thing at the moment....yeah I forgot about my birkis which I actually wear everyday...I guess I really am an old hippy. Glad to hear about the energy thing...I'm so tired and my treadmill and I argue all day....most of the time I win...my house is disgustingly dirty and I have no energy to deal with it..oh well, tomorrow is another day.Take care everybody....oh Lacey I did hear that if you have thyroid issues, you should be careful not to eat too many raw cruciferous veggies.>if you have no issues then no problems.>
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Thanks for the pep talk, Mostlysew....not preachy at all. Isn't it funny how we worry when giving requested advice that we may be too "preachy". It's advice after all...not a mandate.
I really appreciate it as I prepare to start taking care of myself seriously.
I don't do the braless look, but might as well with the little stretchy sports bras I wear that feel like nothing. I may have to place the flower in my 67 year old hair too!
Thanks again....oh, and I resonate with the husband help thing. I have always been the cook and he'd clean up, but these past months he has made a real effort to cook for us both many nights, for which I am so grateful, especially since I get home from work very late and am so wiped. Gee, I wonder if he figures this new gig is just short term since I'm leaving work soon. .....Hmmmmmm....We don't want to break a good new habit, now do we! Maybe I will just have to commence mandatory 5PM naps as part of my new self care regimen
Sew, I eat lots of cruciferous veggies, not just kale which is why I got a bit worried about that article. You know, it might just happen that the piece in Woody Allen's movie, Sleeper is the truth.....that all the good foods are bad and all the sweets and junk are the healthy answer! Would we all still crave them as much then???0 -
Lacey,
Love the 5 pm nap idea! I bet your hubby continues with making dinners for you. I think mine feels its just about the only thing he can do to help! If not, then naps for sure!
I just looked in to the cruciferous vege question, and I'm not a Dr nor a researcher, but I'm ignoring it. Apparently the only known person to get low thyroid from eating cruciferous veggies was 87 and she was eating about 2 pounds of kale per day daily for a long time ....6 months I think. Anyway, I've been on syntheroid for years and for me, I'm just going for a balanced diet with lots of good stuff.
That said, I sure would vote to change to eating junk .... Although I know that even if it was good for me, I never feel well when I do that! I know because I keep testing the waters!
Have a good day everyone. We're headed out to a walk on the bluffs at Bodega Bay. Oh boy.0 -
Hi everyone. Macatac......I am happy to hear that the doctor thinks your lungs are okay. One less thing to worry about. I have not had any problems with mine since I was in radaition. Thankfully I only had those two attacks. I am eight months post rads and no issues since then. I think you will continue to improve with time.
Scottie I went without a bra for probably a month after rads. I was able to wear a sports bra after a couple of weeks. Since I developed lymphedema that created a few more problems and I had some discomfort for some time. Since I have Truncal LE I now have to wear specific bras that apply a great deal of compression. Want to hear something funny? Because of the LE my "bad" cancer breast is larger than my good breast! I had to go to a bra specialist after LE therapy to be fitted for a normal type bra that still provides some compression. The bras I wear daily are NOT attractive. They go almost to the bottom of the rib cage and zip up the front. Anyway I went to the specialist to get new bras that appear normal I can wear on special occasions. She measured me and my good breast is a D cup, bad one is a double D! Too funny. The bras I got have sleeves inside to insert the gel pad to make the good side appear equal to the bad side. Who would have thunk? I usually just wear the LE bras that make me look like I had a double mastectomy!
Lacey.....It takes time to learn how to adjust to the new you. BC and the ongoing treatments certainly present us with new challenges. I think the most important thing to remember is to LISTEN to your body, and learn to be kinder to yourself. Doing so may take you on a path you did not expect, yet it makes for some pretty positive changes. Whether it is dietary changes, or trying a new hobby, allow yourself to listen and begin some exploration. If you have always wanted to try something new, do it. Baby steps though. Don't push too hard. I love learning about herbs and am now growing them. I have always wanted to, but never had. I am allowing myself to ignore the dust bunnies now and then. Difficult for me as I love a very clean house. I have had to adjust to some of the temporary limitations on my body. I nap now, and I have never in my life been a napper. If I need it, I do it. Like Sew said.....allow others to pitch in if you have a husband or children. My DH could not cook anything before my diagnosis. Now he really can help so much in the kitchen, and I have learned to let him. I think for years that was always MY thing...now we both enjoy cooking and prepping our meals together. I take my time and try hard not to overdo. I love walking my dogs and I can take long or short walks depending on how I feel. I just pace myself. Just allow your body some time to heal hon.
King.....oh wow, I have never seen orange swirl before. How pretty, and I bet tasty too. Let's meet up and have that gorgeous drink together. One day, I iwsh! I would so love to meet my beautiful sistas!
Sew......for you sweet lady! Of course I put it through the calorie extractor!
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I feel lucky to have come across your wonderful advice, also Justme. I do know that I am going to have to work hard to make the mental shift of putting myself as the priority.....a bad habit I inherited from my mother! But, yes, the world awaits me in small pieces. I will also need to grieve what I am giving up in leaving my wonderful (but too big) job which involves the lives of many needy/wonderful kids and their families...so as I face my last week at work I'm focused on that too. On Friday after school, (I usually finish around 6)as I was frantically trying to start getting my end year progress reports done, a boy who had to move from our school mid-year returned to visit me. He is one of those kids the school helped to "raise" from kindergarten since his struggling, hard working immigrant dad needed us to. He spent a very long time telling me all about his new life, his hopes and dreams as he moves to middle school, and asked for my guidance on his young boy goal to be an NBA player.
Reminds me so much of DS2 who didn't abandon that goal until his teen years much to the chagrin of his older brother! So I loved hearing it from my little client. I have to say that when he finally left I felt the bittersweetness of his unexpected, serendipitous visit. I suspect I will have to deal with all of those feelings before freely moving on.
Then....as I move on, I do look forward to paying attention to many of my unfinished projects, (love fabric work, but nothing to the level of your art, MostlySew)and yes, I'm sure I will find some new passions.....I love being creative and can now do so without feeling worried about taking time from my work or family responsibilities which have always been on my mind. It will be interesting to see if I do take up napping! Have napped perhaps twice in my life, so this would be new. DH is a very supportive guy, so I'm lucky in that department.
Ladies, you are so sweet to cheerlead me through this transition....since I started this BC journey late last August, I have paid attention only to getting the necessary medical treatments, but not integrating this condition into my life as a whole....mainly because I could not take time off from work through my treatment process, save a day after each surgery) Little did I know what a toll that would take. Thought I could pull it off....silly me! So the treatments are behind me, except for the Tamoxifen and its basic annoying SE's, and I will now take the time I felt I couldn't ten months ago. It is finally real to me. Thanks for putting up with my longwinded response.
I hope everyone enjoyed a good Father's Day...the cake looks great! I won't even mention the desserts I tried at brunch today, except to say that the peach pie was to die for....and of course peaches are healthy, right!
Oh, and thanks for the research on the cruciferous veggies, Mostly.
Kale salad a couple times a week until I'm into my eighties should be fine! What an odd finding about that woman, eh?0 -
Janis.....leave it to you to find a calorie extractor! I'm even willing to believe it works to have a piece of that beautiful concoction.....:D
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Janis, where were you and the calorie extractor this weekend while I was in Reno and Tahoe? I fell off the the wagon so hard that I raised a bump on my tummy :-) Mexican twice, pizza once and Thai once. Oh, I am feeling so guilty...home now and a nice big salad and green tea for dinner. Does anyone want a used halo? It doesn't fit me anymore!
Hi Lacey. I don't have anything to add to the good advice these ladies gave you!
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SAB......I fall off the wagon pretty much on a regular basis! No worries, I know you will get right back on and behave. It is okay to splurge now and then. Some things we just can't live without forever.
Lacey I am really sorry about you having to leave a job you are so passionate about. Do not look at it though as leaving something behind. You can go back. Look instead to your future, healing, new exploration. You may find other passions you were unaware of. The transition is difficult I understand. Still, it is time to treat yourself to some quality time. I have no idea where this road is taking me right now. I do know that I take nothing for granted anymore. Life is so very fragile sometimes. Some days I feel like I am standing at the edge of the precipice and I am on that edge of terrible uncertainty. Other days are filled with wonder and peace. I have to learn to embarace all of the new feelings and try to understand what it all means. I won't figure it out overnight, nor will you. Somehow though I think we all will find our way. It truly is a new and different journey. Be kind to yourself!
Sew....I really need to work on getting the extractor patented. You'll be the first to know. I really hope it doesn't wind up being a product "As Seen on TV". I have much higher standards than that!
Love, hugs, and peace to all.
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Hi all,
I can finally see 2 days this week when I can actually relax for the first time in a year. Don't know how I'll spend those days. In bed with HBO movies and AC? Reading books ... lounging outside? Walking on the beach? I almost don't care...it will be a good change.
I'm glad all those delicious posts are calming down! I tried to keep up with them all while I was traveling and working.
About the bra conversation....I was back in bras so fast - too fast - but now, 6 months post rads, I feel tenderness and soreness in my 2 incision areas. Lots of scar tissue. Now, unexpectedly, when I wear bra it is so uncomfortable. Is it normal to get more sore over time? It's my only complaint right now, except for readjusting to Femara.
I am ready to toss the suger and fat...and to try to walk every day for 30 days.
Nite all,Joan
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Hi Joan,
I'm glad to hear you're finally taking two days just for yourself. They're long overdue in my opinion. Anyway you could arrange another one or two next week? I like the book on the veranda with iced tea option myself......sweetened with stevia of course...
Good question about the bra. I find it still uncomfortable when I try to wear one, although some days it doesn't cause any problems. I thought it would get better, but it sure hasn't for me. In fact, I think I'm getting a bit of lymphadema too, right now......yuck!0 -
Janis, Thanks, good philosophy....I'm finding that the closing out of my office ( tho onerous in terms of time and volume of stuff!) is feeling okay so far so I am hopeful about this process.
Sew, can you get lymphadema out of the blue, during later recovery, or does it manifest right away if you are going to get it?
Joan, savor those days, and I am inspired with your commitment to healthy food and exercise....
Keep cool everyone!0 -
Sew, thanks for the vote on how to relax
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I tried today to go back to sleep this AM but it didn't work. I have not had a break yet....but starting tomorrow afternoon, I have nail spa and Thursday is hair day; Friday DD comes out to stay nearby and I will set aside the day for my DGDs (4 and 1) - loves of my life.
I am starting to feel recovered from an endless year of fear, stress and work.
I made a list of things to be done and started to cross things off. It's growing.
Today I emptied my bedroom of all junk and had help cleaning it thoroughly. I think it's a start!
Lacey, you remind me of how I handled things - teacher at at 2 year college - I missed the week before Labor day for pre-ops (hurricane) and surgery; then went back to work fully dressed up the day after Labor Day. I only took Fridays off (no classes) for medical appointments and during rads. I never caught up. I have the summer off, but I took on 8 hour of overtime which ends July 18th. Then every day off for a month. I love my job, but I have learned to love my time off as much or more.
I think it is great that you are making a list of wonderful things for yourself! Just remember, the tasks tend to take over and fill the day - so it is still necessary to plan time for yourself.
Another late nite for me....
Joan0 -
Good Morning to all. I need some input from anyone who is taking or took either Femara or Arimidex. What are your side effects and opinion. Saw my onco yesterday and she is recommending one of these drugs. I am not really sure I need it. My progronosis is very good given the type of cancer I had. No chemo needed, 6 wks of rads and I removed my ovaries but she still wants me to take one of these drugs. My mother is a survivor for over 33 years without having to take any drugs, no chemo and no radiation. She is my rock. I don't want this coming back, but are the drugs necessary? The list of side effects is as long as my arm, UGH!
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Hi Kingirl66: I have been on Femara for three months now. Yeah, the SE Inknow all about and have read lots of posts about SE. For me so far, I have been fine. I am a little
tired but not sure if this is a result of radiation (finished three weeks ago) Perhaps someone else will post who has been on a lot longer. There is a thread about Femara and how people are tolerating or not, as the case may be. Check it out.0 -
kingjr66...check out the thread "Arimidex..Coping with the SEs"...it is under the forum Hormonal Therapy...before during and after!
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thanks schatzi, will check it out.
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Sew, I know what you mean about having a little lymphedema - every month or so my lumpectomy boob will become normal size again, and I feel like I have a little swelling in my arm too. Plus, I start to get a tightness in my upper arm that I experienced for a few months directly after rads. My RO says things are still changing in there, and even 9 months after rads to expect a little pain and swelling as the radiated tissue firms up.
Through rads I wore cheap sports bras from walmart - 3 pack for 10 dollars. I had never worn sports bras before, always dealing with underwire, but after surgery and rads could not tolerate the underwire. I continued to wear these bras through the winter and spring. Just recently I have started wearing my underwire bras again, and find that I can tolerate them now 9 months later. But I save them for one or two days a week when the outfit calls for a real bra instead of a sports bra.
On a happy note, last Saturday was my one year cancerversary. I celebrated with friends and family by dining outside at a great restaurant. I am so blessed to have these people in my life.
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Lacey12, My PT told me that lymphedema can develop any time after lymph node removal--as long as 20 years after surgery. The good news is that PT really helps keep LE under control.
kingjr66, As someone who has been taking Arimidex for almost nine months, my suggestion is to at least give the med a try. Everyone reacts differently. Some people have no SE's; some have only mild SE's. For me, the SE's have been joint pain in my hands, fatigue, and mild depression. I am able to control all of my SE's pretty well. The best SE is staying alive.
joan811, Hurray for you for taking care of yourself. It is so important.
pat01, Congratulations on your first cancerversary. I wish many more happy and healthy years.
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Elizabeth I love that...the BEST SE is being alive. That is so perfect, and so true. I know some people are reluctant to begin the AI's, but not everyone gets serious SE's. Some people have none at all. King AI's were not available 33 years ago. It took somefurther research to get where we are with BC today. Not all cancers need to be treated with AI's. For me, the idea that I am doing something for me, to continue to keep the beast at bay, is worth it. I just know if my cancer ever comes back, at least I tried. I would never, ever though stop beating myself up if the cancer returned and I had refused AI's. That of course is just me, and my personal choice. I know it is not an easy decision. I hope you and your doctor can discuss it again and you can come to a choice that is best for you. I have been on Arimidex for seven months. I am still standing! I do get the fatigue too but not often and not bad. I feel like I am holding up really well.
Joan it is so good to see you here. I am glad that you are planning some quality YOU time. That makes so much sense. It takes some getting used to. I realized I didn't have to be Superwoman as far as maintaining the house goes. I enjoy being more relaxed, although the kitchen is still one room I have to have really really clean. Not sterile, just neat. I despise clutter!
I hope everyone can find their own individual happy medium!
Cheers!
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Thanks Janis. I'm leaning more to not taking them. l still need to do my research though. want to see if any benefit to stage 1, like myself. Seen good reads on stage 4, but not enough on lower stages yet. All you ladies are a good source to start with.
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justmejanis...I feel the same way as you about taking Arimidex...if I didn't and had another DX, I would never forgive myself for not doing all I could to prevent it. I am almost 5 months into it and just this weekend I had my first SE. It's OK now. I guess SEs come and go.
It is my understanding that it is not the stage that determines whether or not it is helpful to take hormonals. I was told it is the percentage of ER and PR. In my case it is very low (1.5%) ER+ but I will take it for awhile anyways just to be sure I did all I could. Not sure I will hang in there for the whole 5 years tho but then again I am 68.
Oops guess this is the wrong thread for this discussion. LOL
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Hi Ladies,
Good to hear from all of you.
Pat...Horrah on your cancerversary....that is a true milestone. I feel as though I've also reached mine when I passed my mammo....and for some reason it has helped my mindset a lot. It's amazing what we can endure in a year, isn't it?
Joan, ok playing with granddaughters is a good as reading a book in the hammock on the porch. Better, in fact, as long as you're not on diaper duty! Enjoy.
Lacey, as Elizabeth said, apparently lymphadema can occur anytime. Bummer of a thought, isn't it? Anyway, I think mine is much like yours and sometimes my boob is definitely smaller. It also throws lots of heat, which isn't necessarily a good thing. I do know some simple lymphadema massages, and those help whenever I think the poor old boob has gotten too swollen. I've got so much else going on in there it's hard to tell what's what, but I'm just going with the flow and also keeping my arm stretched out so the SN site doesn't siege up too much.
King, taking arimidex or femara is a tough question that most of us have to deal with. As Janice said, it really isn't the stage (I'm stage 1 also) but also your age, size of tumor, location of tumor, history, er/pr+ etc. etc. for me, I'm more than happy to take it as it decreased my recurrence rate score to something reasonable. And, as Janice also said, they didn't have this availability years ago so your Mom couldn't take it. I would love to think I didn't have to worry about recurrence, but hell, I wasn't worried about getting this in the first place. So, for me, it's worth it to take the drug for 5 years, or even longer if they'll give it to me. And.....unless you try it you'll never know if you're going to even have any side effects or not. Most women don't. Or the ones they have they can handle. Like me, I get a muscle fatigue which means I probably won't be doing much more really strenuous hiking in my life. But...I never did much like hills, and I'm still good at flat walking and gently hills. And anyway, my hubby is getting older and he isn't that great at it either anymore. So, for us, this is a good drug to be taking. Also, remember, that the side effects from this drug will stop as soon as you stop taking it. So.....if there's a problem, you can quit and no harm done. Good luck with your decision, it's always a tough one for each of us. I'm just thankful that I had the option.
So I went to my second water aerobics class today, and I'm definitely wiped out. Have a lovely book to read and a quilt to sew though so I'm more than happy to take the afternoon off from working on my new studio.
Have a great evening everyone.....0 -
I just came back from my trip to Chicago, and had the best time. It was fabulous to be with my children and grandchildren. I am having my first mammogram after my cancer diagnosis on July 13. My surgeon is a doll. I am scared and she is coming with me.
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Hey, Kate, glad you're back and even more glad your visit was so wonderful. It was long overdue for you. On your mammo, I'm here to tell you that mine didn't hurt at all. The tech was so gentle and I was amazed. Glad you'll have some support with you.
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Hi Mostlysew, thank you. I am not worried about pain for my mammo I am just scared re if its negative or not. At first when I was diagnosed they saw a second spot on an mri, calling it a shadow. Then they said it was ok, but that scared me a little.
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Kate, glad to hear you are back and that you had a wonderful time. You certainly deserved and I know, needed that. It must have lifted your spirits so much to be with your loved ones. Wow! What a surgeon you have. That is wonderful that she is coming to your mammo with you. What a lovely person. Take care, GiGi
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King, by the way, did you have an onco-type test on your tumor? That report should indicate what the AI treatment will do for you as far as reducing the chance of a reoccurrence. It might help your decision making.
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Kate, I am glad you enjoyed your trip so much. Good luck on your mammogram.
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Hello Ladies, just checking in and up on all the news.
Kate, so glad your trip went well.
Mostlysew, I am continuing with the water aerobics also and I get totally wiped out every time. But I like getting out and seeing other people and have a sense of accomplishment afterward. I now bring a magnet with me to put on the locker so I can find my clothes in a more timely fashion. My brain is just mush most of the time.
So slowly walking through the days, learning to take care of my self and giving my body time to heal.
Anyway, Have a great day!
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