Fall 2015 Rads
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An “incidentaloma” is medical slang for something that shows up unexpectedly on a scan that was done to ascertain something else, is usually nothing and would probably never have grown or caused any trouble--but once they see it they have to give the patient the option to treat it “just in case” so they won’t get sued for malpractice. DH’s scan was done on an emergency basis to look for “free air” in the abdomen (a sign that the colon has been perforated). Differential diagnoses (besides tumor) include harmless granulomas, scarring, cysts and smudges on the screen. He’s a smoker (albeit light), so they have to follow it up.
In 2012, we took a Viking River Cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam, only three months after my first knee replacement. There were a few single travelers, but they opted to pay double to have a cabin to themselves without a roommate. But Viking will try to match single travelers who wish to double up and save some money. The river “longships” are very nice, albeit without spas, restaurants (just the dining room and outside terrace tables), pools, or theaters. The capacity is only about 100 passengers, and the accommodations are otherwise quite nice. The longships can dock right in town (usually, the river is the center of town), so you don’t need to take a ferry from the ship to the port.
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Hi everyone!I had my first of 15 rads today. So far so good - the only disappointment is the way they have to schedule me. I don't have consistent appointments. Tomorrow is 7 am (!) Monday 5:15 pm - and they have all the others scheduled - and they are everywhere in between. Oh well.
Also, I'm away from home. Staying at the Hope Lodge her in Salt Lake City- which is new and nice - but they don't have the bugs worked out. No consistent wi-fi - ( I'm at a public computer) No cable TV hooked up, They were nice enough to say they were going to put DVD players in our rooms so we would have something to watch until they cable could get sorted out - but that was 3 days ago and no news yet. I'm very lonely - and starting to get a little depressed. I have books to read - but find my wind wanders to dark places enough still that it is hard to stay focused on my book. I'm trying to stay positive. I love all of the tips and advice from everyone...thank you!
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Hi all - congrats to the finishers! love the sticker, Keys.
I have the F-cancer Embrace Life Bracelet too, and I wear it every day, and it reminds me that I am powerful! Especially killing it on the elliptical with sweat pouring off my menopausing body!
Started rads today - one down, 27 to go!!! Surprised to feel a little tender here and there on that side already. Weird, our centre doesn't care about aluminum or anything in your deodorant, and is vague on post Rx topical treatments - so much variation! They only suggested I avoid lotions with ***SPARKLES*** What shall I do?
Thanks for all being here as a resource and wealth of information.
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Zinny:(teasing) put the *SPARKLY* lotion on your legs. (I ended up wearing wildly garish nail polish combinations during my rads. The technicians found it amusing.)
Georgie: I can well imagine you might get sucked into the dark imaginings of the night! Is there someplace you can go during the day to just sit and get out of Hope Lodge? (my first thought 'library', but could be anyplace, even a MacDonalds)
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Georgie: Awww….I am sorry you are lonely. I hate anyone having to go through this alone. Check in with us often, ok?
I love hearing about everyone's travel plans. I am dying to go to Italy but between kids' school schedule and husbands work calendar, it is hard to figure out when. I took the kids out of school last time we went and it gets harder to do that as they get older. But I think I might do it next fall. If this whole thing has made me realize anything it is that you can't wait to do stuff.
I am going for #12/28 today and yesterday I was getting really pink and itchy and I put that calendula cream on a couple of times and it really seems to help. I can handle the stinky smell if it keeps the itching at bay. I HATE itching.
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Georgie, I hope they get the DVD player in soon and the wireless hooked up, too. And I hope you have a really good book in the meantime!
I wonder if there is any way to get insurance to pay for a trip to Italy after treatment is done. Seems as if it should be medically necessary, no? Any ideas?
Still waiting for confirmation on my CT appointment next Wednesday. If it must be done (and it must), I want to get this show on the road!
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Georgie, keep posting here. We are with you!
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(((Georgie))) Can you find a place with free Wi-Fi to stream some movies?
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I'm glad to break down and buy the miaderm. I don't like the uddderly smooth. I am almost out of my calendula and need to order some more. Then off to buy some cheap wife beater shirts to sleep in because aquaphor is ruining my pajamas.
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I thought I was going to hate aquaphor. My dear friend found me a bottle that has an applicator tip on it. Love it. No mess. No idea where she got it I will have to ask. I have been using it for about a week, and I put it on after my appointment. Lasts all day with no messy hands. Only 2 more sessions and I am done!
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Had my first rads yesterday. It was much quicker than I thought. No problems breathing with my cold. I guess I was worried for nothing. They must think I'm a germophob because I asked for my own pen. Oh well.
Georgie - stay here with us as much as you can. We are all in this together.
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Georgie - sorry to hear you are so isolated - at least it is good that you can log in and virtual visit with us. You and I are the same start day. Espanola too. Go warriors, we are stronger than this thing!
Bought some Aveeno moisturizer, now looking at all of your posts and obsessing over my need for calendula... now I can spend the next hour reading what you all said was the best
Hard morning. Picked up my Letrozole. Didn't think it would feel emotional to take that first pill, but ooof there it is! Oh well, down the hatch, bye bye Estrogen. AND BYE BYE bad cells....
Rainyc, I am with you on a therapeutic vacation - if you find that insurance clause, let me know ASAP! Dreaming of Italy...
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I can't remember who it was the first suggested the cooling towel but THANK YOU!!!! My skin was so flaming hot yesterday and very red after treatment. I used the cooling towel for about 10 minutes before moisturizing. The redness turned to pink and the heat dissipated. What a relief!
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I wish mine would hurry up and get here. I think I ordered it a week ago. I am glad to hear it worked for you, Molly.
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Georgie, Sorry you are so alone and away from you home and unable to have the things we use to stay connected. I know what you mean about reading. I love to read. I found my mind wandering to negative thoughts. It is better now that I am done and beginning to get back to a "normal Life."
Zinny, I know what you mean about taking your first pill. I did that Monday.
Molly, You will find as your therapy increases you will want to use it longer. But it really helps.
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Lisa (bluedog) and I met up for lunch between our respective radiation treatments today.
Nice to have real world connections to someone I met on the broads
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Great picture!
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Thanks, Molly. It was great to have lunch with Outrunning. Wish we could all get together!0
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Lynn61- first treatment went well, but lasted longer than I thought since they had to do a few x-rays as well. It was more psychologically stressful than physically. Techs had to tell me to not tense my body and to relax (ha) so I closed my eyes and imagined myself walking in a beautiful field at my relative's farm with the sun warming me (the room was cold so I added in the warm sun!). The imagery helped me relax a little bit. Day 2 of treatment, a water line had busted near the hospital which kept the machine from working, so I had to come back for treatment in the afternoon as well as retake 2 x-rays that didn't send the day before. Day 3 (today) was uneventful and went well. Probably the worse part is having to deal with the 8:00 a.m. rush hour traffic. Thanks for checking on me!
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i am guilty of putting nothing on my skin. My RO said only if there were issues and while I am slightly pink...I just keep forgetting!
I start boosts next week. 25 down and 8 to go!
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Wow, good for you Tresjoli2! Just pay attention to your body.0
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Zinny, my MO told me not to start the letrozole until rads were done; she also told me I could wait till Jan. so that I could go on my cruise w/o side effects.
SNB seroma sutures removed today--b.s. nurse said the seroma is smaller and softer than it was last week, and the incision is holding. She still Steri-Stripped me (with Liquid Bandage beneath as reinforcement). She says to keep them on two weeks or until they fall off in the shower, whichever comes first. Incision over lumpectomy itself is fully-healed and fading fast. Right now, the most prominent evidence of my b.c. are those little “X”s covered with clear tape.
The burn gel with 2.5% lidocaine I got at CVS, which the Kellogg Cancer Ctr. pharmacy also carries, is “BurnJel.” (Not the most creative brand name, but truth in advertising). RO says to use it only in case of painful skin.
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Day 10 of 30 rads and still uneventful -yay. It's a little hot underneath where my breast touches my chest, but I'm rolling up a small piece of soft t-shirt material and putting it there. That's where I put the cooling towel, too! (The towel was kbee's idea!) I'm using the Miaderm, and I like it so far.
Re: traveling - I'm glad you ladies are keeping those travel plans! I booked my trip for April and May figuring I'd need time to get used to the Tamoxifen. When I asked my doc if it was okay, he said, "Yes, of course that's fine" and probably wondered why I'm waiting so long after treatment before leaving on vacation. I think they really want us to get on with our lives. Me, too!
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Day 2 of Rads - so far so good. But even more exciting - my husband will be here in town any minute. We decided to have him come here instead of me going home so we could go to the Utah Utes vs Oregon State Beavers football game. ( DH & I met at OSU!) While I am waiting for him I just took some pictures of my hair progress....so exciting to finally see some growth!
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geoegie61 - yay, hair! I'm still a baldy checking it every day. I'm 5 weeks out since my last chemo (TC, so a different regiment). There is some stubble in my head, but nothing to write home about. How many weeks after your last treatment is this pic?
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I am 14 weeks PFC.
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Georgie: AAAWWWW! flashbacks to your meeting with (future) DH. Let us know how the game went? And good (I think) to have an association with the housing other than "alone, lonely, bored, cooling my heels"?
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I'm so happy for you, Georgie! RO did a perfunctory check of my skin today. I am definitely a bit sunburn looking. Heck my tech took more time with me than the doctor. He told me that I need to take some time to rest. Haha, doesn't happen in my world.
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Molly you sound like me. I was advised to do the same thing by my MO and a coworker who recently had radiation. I crashed at the end of the 3rd week. It hit hard.
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Georgie how fun that you're going to the OSU game. I am here in Beaver nation! I'll watch the first little bit, then I'm going out TOT with my 12-year old. She is Thor, which is fitting for her (long hair, tall - she's my height - and strong as an ox).
I finished my 4th week yesterday woot! Next week is a short week for me, I'm taking a two day break to visit family. My nipple started hurting at the end of the 3rd week, so my RO recommended taping it, and it doesn't hurt anymore. I am having a little bit of itching but it's pretty mild.
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