Radiation recovery
Comments
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PT...you're too cute. Great hugs, thanks (and I love the free part..LOL)
Sharon, Yep, it's nerve pain. I remember my underarm nerves went beserk about 5 or 6 days aftet the surgery and wouldn't quit "yelling". I finally decided to take an antivan (anti-anxiety med prescribed for getting thru all this) just because it was making me so crazy, and lo and behold, the nerve quit hurting and never did again. Or at least never got stuck in the "scream loudly" position again. So...if you've got any of those, try one, it might help. And Sab's right, gentle stretching is really important for the underarm area. I used to walk my fingers up the cabinet every time I poured more coffee. Still do, actually.
Sab....see, we might sound very bad indeed but actually we're pretty good. That's how we get away with being bad. Although I'd sure like to loose weight faster, it just isn't happening with this AI I'm on. but, I'm sure glad to have the option of taking it!
Ok off to work on my new quilt. Sounds decadent doesn't it?
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Sab i have a ways to go, but my numbers are so improved. There are some things I refuse to give up. I have however discovered to enjoy everything now in moderation. Cheesecake is still in my diet....rarely, but still there along with a few other special treats. Moderation!
Sharon the pain is very normal. It will take awhile and you have gotten some great suggestions. I have nerve damage and take medication for it. I am relatively pain free now which is goo.
Sew, a new quilt sounds like the perfect medicine! I just have to see pictures of your work. I know how beautiful and special your homemade things are.
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Oh, I second the motion for photos of Sew's work.
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Eeekkk....oh, the pressure! I'll see about posting something for you to see.
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It is 3 days since my surgery, and I still am in a lot of discomfort. I have 3 drains, and they are so aggravating. I will definitely remain in the hospital till Monday at the earliest and Wednesday at the latest. I am in no hurry to go home, because I can't figure out how I will function in public with these drains. Also, I am a little depressed because I will require another surgery. Oh well this too shall pass, but it's aggravating when you are stuck in the middle of it.Have a great weekend everyone.
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Kate, So sorry to hear about your discomfort. I have never yet met anyone who didn't have some issues with drains. I never had a drain, but I remember thinking how hideous it all seemed....but necessary. I know they also can pull and tingle and annoy where attached....I hope they come out soon for you. I think you will feel OK at home....I hope you do not have to go out much....maybe you can get help to stock your kitchen and get your personal items?When will your next surgery be?Sharon, welcome to our thread that started with radiation recovery. As you can see, life goes on in all its fullness after BC....the good and the not so good! For me, I was so worried about rads that I took xanax for the first 3 days. I am claustrophobic and didn't think I could stay still. But the staff was incredible and I dropped the drugs. Instead, I used an iPod every time with some crazy music so I wouldn't be sad...(welcome to the jungle et al) To distract my anxiety, I would pop a few listerine strips in my mouth and I would make up word games in my head. It all worked and I made it. My SEs were an itchy rash for which I used a steroid cream. Everything cleared right after rads stopped. So it wasn't so bad.Sorry you are having the post surgery pains. Things should get better over time.Here's a bummer, I think....I have misplaced or lost almost my entire medicaiton supply. I am a day cold turkey off most right now....and will start to replenish as allowed after the week end. Am wondering if I will actually feel better! I am taking it one day at a time.Tomorow is my DS's going away gathering...I will be ok as he is coming back to my house overnight. But watching him say bye to all the family and especially the nieces & nephews who adore him....(sniff)....but it is a good thing - he has a job after 2 years. And it's not about me.More tomorrow.....nite all!0
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I wonder why US docs leave the drains in so long. My doc took the drains out before sending me home, and part of the reason I was in the hospital 4-5 days was so that they could monitor the drains (and recovery generally) and remove them before I was discharged. I then had weekly follow-up visits 3-4 times to change bandages, make sure recovery was progrssing properly etc. I had no ill effects from having the drains out so early.
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Joan811 I am sorry you lost your medical supply, but glad you will have fun at a going away party.I am still in the hospital, and now I will have to stay longer because I have a new complication. Yesterday my blood pressure was 213, and today in the 180's. My normal blood pressure is in the 130's. So now I have to stay at the hospital longer for my blood pressure to be regulated, and they have ordered more tests.When I do come home have someone who cleans once a week. and she can also take me shopping
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Kate, Do they say why your blood pressure may be up? I hope that you feel better very soon.
Joan, Did you check with your insurance company? I think some of them will replace lost drugs. I hate to think of you waiting for meds that you need!
What a glorious wedding we attended this weekend. Ceremony overlooking the vineyards, al fresco dining and dancing under tiny, twinkling lights. I felt like I was in a movie
. The only bad part (or was it good) was that they served a trio of cakes...a groom's cake, a bride's cake and a wedding cake (chocolate, vanilla and red velvet) and well, I couldn't be rude and leave it on the plate, right? So I sacrificed my diet in the name of the family! Then, to make matters worse the wedding favor was a box of truffles made by the bride! My food journal just about caught fire when I entered Saturday's food!So, for the Jewish sisters out there I want to send out wishes for a happy and healthy New Year. L'Shana Tova.
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Good morning! I can now join you guys. Just finished rads a week ago. Boost area is now starting to heal! Woo hoo. Next stop tamoxifen. I, too, will have random pain in my "bad boob".
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Belinda, That's just great! Good for you! Getting thru the active treatment is a real milestone. Be sure to continue with the extra protein and rest for several weeks, oh, and the lotion too for a couple months. You'll feel good very quickly. Welcome to the "after" club....
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Well, my Mom always said my BC breast was special, but this is ridiculous! Saw my RO today and he says the reaction to radiation that this breast has had is very rare indeed! It still has at least half of it rock solid with edema. I've still got the brown freckles and of course, there's the fat necrosis. he says those are fairly normal, but generally resolve themselves way before now. We won't mention the pain. What else is new? He wants me to see the Surgeon to see if he has any ideas about this. He felt it may have been because of the extensive surgery more than from the rads but he just can't tell. He's so interested in it, that he wants to see me again in a year so he can follow this. As he says, if I don't mind coming, he's learning from it and I'm all for more informed medical people. He also insists I see the lymphadema PT as perhaps there's something they can do. so....I intended to just keep on trucking. Guess I'll keep on trucking with the help of a few more specialists. I always did love a crowd!
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Belinda, Congratulations on finishing rads and welcome to our recovery group. The people here are wonderful--warm, gentle, and blessed with good advice.
SAB, I am proud of you for doing your family duty and eating all the great food. The wedding sounded marvelous.
MostlySew, Good luck on getting your post rads problems resolved. Rads is the gift that keeps on giving.
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Kate, I can't believe it....better check that BP cuff!! At least the room is nice....what a bummer though; I know you were dreaming of putting this episode behind you. I hope by now the BP is back down. I am glad you will have some help when you are home. Please get well and try to roll with it....there isn't anything much you can do to hurry the healing. (((Hugs)))
Belinda, Welcome to rads recovery! It sounds like you are doing well. BC can really bring a lot of physical and emotional upheaval -- even if we are feeling "fine".
So keep in touch and share your questions, concerns, and good advice for getting on with life! This is a good place to be.
Sew, when did you finish rads? You certainly do fall into that "special" category....the fact that your RO is so interested just goes to prove that every case is different and we all have a unique response to treatment. I hope you can be "un-special" soon....here's to your complete healing and return to life as you knew it before BC.
SAB, tomorrow I will start to figure out how to get my drugs back in order. I keep hoping I'll find them....no luck yet. Unless I am focused and busy, I feel a little shaky.
Happy Rosh Hashana - Happy New Year to my sisters who are celebrating!
We are having holidays here in New York...schools and colleges closed.
Happy Hugs to all,Joan
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Sew I always knew you were very special. This latest news only confirms that! Rads sure does like to linger with all the SE's. I hope you can get some relief with the LE specialist. It sure helped me a lot.
Belinda, welcome to our little group! Congratulations on completing rads. It is wonderful to have that behind you.
Joan, I am sorry you lost your meds, how on earth did that happen? All your travels? I hope the send off for your son went well. I know it had to have been a bittersweet gathering, but hoping he finds much success in his new venture. I have been thinking about you my friend. Just haven't been very good about keeping up here.
SAB, that wedding sounds amazing. It must have really lifted your spirits to be at such a joyous event. Of course you had to sample all the cakes! I would have too, of course.
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Saab and Joan thank you so much for your support. After 6 days in the hospital they finally have my blood pressure under control. I am leaving the hospital this afternoon. My pain is under control, but it is still there and I have to go home with 3 aggravating drains. The most upsetting thing of all is that after all of this I still will require another surgery. Saab I am so glad you were abnle to enjoy the wedding.Welcome Belinda. Mostlysew I am sorry you have more aggravation.
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Hi Joan,
I finished rads November 2nd so it's been just about 10 months. I think this RO is just concerned about the seromas which cause pain. I'm not worried about it. I think it is what it will be. And who cares about a bit of discoloration? At 64 I'm sure not going to worry! Anyway, thanks for the concern.
How are you doing with your cold turkey on the meds? I should think that's a bit tough. So, does your son have his new phone number yet? How exciting for him, and how cute to have a going away party. I know that was bittersweet for you. Have you booked your first flight to Chicago yet?
Kate, you'll have those drains out in no time. Better to have them draining off fluids than not. It should keep the edema down too. So, look at them as if they're your friends. Seems like you got home just when you thought you would too, so that's good.
Janis, my friend, glad you think I'm special. I do wish to be "unspecial" soon, as Joan puts it. Have appts with surgeon next Tuesday and then PT next Thursday. I think both will be anti-climatic. I am hoping the PT Lymphadema specialist will also help with exercises for this torn rotator cuff I did somehow cleaning house. If I'm not careful they'll put me on the injured reserve list with you! So, I hope your neck pain has quieted down again and that you're being good. Well, as good as you can be anyway.....speaking of which, we're having my DH's special oatmeal peanut butter chocolate chip cookies for dessert tonight. Yum...bring on dessert.....0 -
I am home from the hospital feeling very melancholy, going through this all alone. I will have a home health care nurse for a week to empty my drains and check my blood pressure. I am resilient, and I will get throught this, but I am feeling sorry for myself tonight. Thank you all for your support.
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Mostlysew thank you so much for your support. I am so sorry you have to go through more stuff, and I will pray all goes well for you. Hugs!
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Mostly sew, You also have seromas? What did they suggest? I go for another opinion Oct 1st. At this time I am leaning towards just live with it. I am nine months out of rads and worry irradited breast might not heal well with further surgery.
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Yep, Ptdreamers....I've got it all...seromas, fat necrosis, edema, and scaring....or is one of those scaring? I'm not sure the options, but I'm with you......I'll think I'll just go with the pig I know, rather than the pig in the poke...or is that Devil I know? I'll let you know what this cancer surgeon says, but personally I think he's going to be really disappointed it turned out this way. I haven't seen him since surgery....and he's such a caring doctor.
Let me know what they tell you, too, I'm curious about the options
Kate, at least you've got the surgery done and over with instead of last week dreading its arrival! That's something good......0 -
Dear Kate,
Have been following your progress, though I don't post often, and am so glad you're home and have one surgery done. You are not alone along as you have all of us thinking of you. The days after surgery are rough and depressing, but you'll soon be back to nights out on the town. I wish you had someone in your home now to give you a hug, instead I'm sending you one of my own now.
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Mostly Sew your specialness has nothing to do with your BC boob. But you knew that!
It seems many of us received gifts after BC but related. I got lymphedema and guess that lasts for life. It really hasn't caused me too many problems, but the bras I have to wear aren't pretty!
Kate you will settle in to a normal routine soon. I hated being in the hospital. I just thing we mend better surrounded by our own things. The drains are annoying but necessary. Feel better soon!
I am trying hard to be good after this darn neck surgery. No fun at all. I want to clean. I want to bake! Check for high fever or head injury please....I just said I want to clean!
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I just hate hearing about my sisters having troubles. Kate, Janis, Sew, PT and Joan- am thinking about you guys. I hope we will be hearing good news as we move forward!
I tried to bake chocolate sugar-free cookies but they are terrible. My DD said they look like little poops. Back to the drawing board.
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SAB you are so sweet, but I am fine. Recovery is slow but I am doing really well. Take me off your worry list okay? I am more annoyed than anything at my limitations. They are temporary so I'll be back on my bike in no time. Pistol misses riding on my shoulders!
We'll have to keep working on sugar free healthy snacks. I cratered today and made brownies. From a mix. I convinced myself that I would not strain anything using a mix. I did eat a couple. My bad!
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i confess. i found bite size choclate bronies at Costco. each is a hundred calories. i froze them and have one every couple of days to satisfy my choclate craving.
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Suzannah what a wonderful sweet post. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your support. Unfortunately I had another emergency today. My blood pressure soared to 212/122 and I had to go to the emergency room. I am still here waiting for my ride to pick me up. Thank God the tests the dr. took were all normal. He thought it might be happening because of the stress of the surgery etc. I have a home health care nurse for a week and she panicked which scared me. The bottom line is that I am ok. The doctor gave me blood pressure meds, and I need to follow up with my primary care dr.
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Kate, my BP spikes with stress too, but have finally gotten it under control with medication. The meds today are wonderful, you're BP will respond, have no fear. Sorry you had to go over this extra scary bump.
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Hey Sab,
It's so cute of you to worry and I feel the same about everyone too. I hate to see any of us having problems....I'm like Janis though, I'm fine. I really feel this breast is what it is, and that's fine with me, so not to worry. Now...if that changes, I'll let you guys know, because the support here is superb!
Hmmm...sugar free.....hmmmmm...well, just go ahead and eat the dark chocolate plain. It's good for us, right?
And PT, if I had those brownies, frozen or not, they sure wouldn't last long. Certainly not to the tune of one every other day or so. I always figure the sooner I get them out of the house the better....gobble, gobble, gobble, Lol.0 -
Saab, Janis, and Suzaannah thank you so much for your support. I am home from the emergency room trying to chill by watching the X Factor
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