Starting Radiation October 2019
Comments
-
mocame: Good to hear from you. I have sympathy with all the folks still having to work outside the home and in some cases, pick up more work. It's really hard for you, I know. You are fresh off chemo, radiation and surgery. In a normal world, you'd have 1-2 months to recuperate from your last surgery. It sounds like your hubby doesn't cook so you have to do it when you get home. My sister's significant other is a great cook. I wish I had a fellow who can cook. I don't mind cleaning up afterwards. I've done well with the joint pain with my turmeric. I was taking two pills but have backed down to only one. Each day, I take about 12 pills, way too many. I read somewhere that you might be more susceptible to COVID while taking ACE inhibitors, one of my BP meds. I decided to wean myself off that one. I started if after chemo when I was so unstable. I'm eating fairly healthy now and don't think I need both meds. Anyways, I still have the cough. It sounds so bad. Next week, I'll be completely off and I'll see if the cough goes away. It could be post nasal drip from Springtime. I'll try the Claritin next week if it doesn't go away.
Get some rest this weekend!
0 -
mocame, It must be a rough time, especially in a long term care or senior living facility. I have to say, I am so glad I am retired. It sometimes happens when the nodes are removed. That's why you can't get blood draws or BP on the side with the nodes removed. I am not sure what set it off, but I kept saying my surgical breast was growing. It got so it is visible even when dressed. Finally the MO listened. I met with an ARNP who performed LE massage and instructed me on how to do it. I am to wear compression bras all the time. I have an ultrasound and follow up appointment. If no improvement or worse, she will refer me tho an LE therapist.
Kamboka, In my case, it is a bigger breast. Some people have it in the arm or trunk. Some have it in all 3. I had a coworker who had to wear a compression vest and sleeve. Something to deal with forever.
I agree with your observation. When I went to the cancer center, I could not believe the traffic and people at grocery stores and gas stations. I think people are done with shut down.
0 -
petite1: I had about three months of LE therapy after my surgery. I didn't have LE but wanted to be proactive. I was doing the exercises everyday but admit I stopped sometimes in February. So far, so good. I got fitted for a sleeve and glove last year for when I have to do long plane rides. I've not had to use it yet. I'm not looking forward to it since anything I wear now that is too confining, makes me have hot flashes.
I hope your LE therapy can reduce the swelling.
0 -
I’ve been thinking about all of you and hoping everything is going well I’ve been exercising, organizing, cooking, and reading a ton about how dentistry is going to deal with this virus. We are supposed to return to work next Monday 4/26 and we aren’t prepared. Hoping that today the governor will order us to not go back u til we can prove we have the equipment and tests and more knowledge. Meanwhile, I’m looking for a different career and enjoying being at home. I stopped doing my stretches and am regretting it. I thought I was all right, but boy is it tight. So I am doing them several times a day now. Yikes! Been in Letrozole for 6wks and the hot flashes are really driving me nuts. I asked Oncologist if there was a natural remedy and she prescribed me 90 days worth of gabapentin. I’m not going to take it. My sweet Mom sent me all kinds of ice packs and a fan and a cooling towel. Haha.
Petite- your pool area looks wonderful.
Mocame and kamboka- stay safe at work. I’m glad u get to have some normalcy.
Wishing you all the best. teri
0 -
TeriJ, So good to hear from you. I haven't had too much problem with the hot flashes, but I think it is because I am 67 and that part of life was long ago. I had the joint pain, but exercise makes all the difference in the world. I take Turmeric before bed and that helps with sleep.
0 -
TeriJ: So good to hear from you. Those stretches really are important but we don't realize it until we stop. I stopped about 6 weeks ago. It's not too bad until I try to hyperextend. Sorry about the hot flashes. I was on gabapentin for nerve damage and it did nothing for my hot flashes. My MO put me on Celexa (anti depressant) in February and it worked. I went from constant day and night flashes, to only a few mainly at night, a couple times a week. Maybe you should ask for that. I hear it's a standard use for hot flashes.
If you have to go back to work, just try to practice your universal precautions even more than normal. I had a discussion with a friend a few weeks about about changing careers. I was lamenting the fact that if I could have my wish to do what I'm passionate about, I couldn't come up with anything. So, I guess I'll just trudge along with what I'm doing now.
petite1: I've been on the turmeric for a couple of months. Not sure if it helps me sleep--it doesn't hurt my sleep. It does help me with the joint stiffness d/t letrozole.
0 -
Kamboka, I learned about the Turmeric from you. Good stuff.
0 -
Glad the turmeric is helping. I wish I could find something to make me sleep more than 2 hours at a time. I've tried everything. I think part of the problem is that my back starts to hurt when I'm sleep and that wakes me up. I've been through 7 or 8 mattress and different mattress pads in one year.
I tried to come on this site last night but kept getting a message saying the site was not secure. Not sure what was going on and I didn't want to click any buttons so I left the site. No problems today.
0 -
Kamboka - No, my husband can only makes grilled cheese and spaghetti so I only have help with meals when my daughter is home from college. Since I've had my surgery, it seems like my hot flashes, aches and pains, and moodiness have started over. Just like when I first went on Zoladex and Anastrozole. They then died down after a few weeks of taking the meds so I am hoping they die down some here shortly. My achiness usually happens when I stand or sit for a little bit and then try and move. I haven't been able to exercise more than once a week right now because I'm too tired to get up. The past 2 of 3 Friday nights, I've slept 10+ hours! I never sleep that long but I feel so much better on Saturday morning. I wish I had a way to help you sleep. I didn't used to be a good sleeper but except for an occasional bad night, I sleep well (including with the consistent night sweats each night). My migraine medicine helps me sleep and I've sleep better since taking Anastrozole but I don't know if it's a coincidence or not. Have you asked your MO?
TeriJ - I have problems with hot flashes/night sweats too. They are worse when I am near a heat source. My desk at home is at our one radiator and I have a small office at work where I can't help but be hit by the heat coming out of the vent. I'm not looking forward to summer and I LOVE the warm weather. I meet with my MO again in May, if they don't cancel it, and I want to see if there is something she can give me. I prefer something natural but we will see. If you try the gabapentin, let me know how it works for you.
Petite1 - I'm sorry you are dealing with LE. I hope they can give you some help with it. Not fun.
Now that the virus is starting to get better here, I have heard of the first hospital starting to schedule non-essential surgeries and appointments. I'm hoping my hospital follows suit soon too because I need to see my gyno surgeon in a couple weeks, my MO, and need to see my PS about my future swap-out of my implants due to rupture.
I was scheduled to go to California in the middle of May with my daughter. I've been planning this trip for 1 1/2 years and I was focused on it through radiation and scheduling my OOPH and now I've had to cancel it. I'm so sad. I have rebooked the hotel for a week in August, which is the only week the rest of the year that both of us are available to go. I haven't rebooked my flights because who knows if we will be able to go or even want to go, depending on the restrictions in place at that point. My work even extended my vacation to August but they can't extend it for later if August doesn't work out. If we can't go in August, I will have to wait until May of 2021 and hopefully will have vacation left. I also would need to get my swap-out surgery scheduled sometime between December and next year too.
I hope everyone stays safe and healthy!
0 -
mocame: Sorry you are feeling achy and hot. I love Spring and Summer but if I have to wear that mask outside, I'll die. When I wear it shopping for 15 minutes, I break out in sweat. I'm so happy to hear that some States are opening up and they have come to their senses about surgeries. I really think we overreacted about hospitals in places that were not really affected. So many people have other problems that did not get attention. Anyways, I hope you can get yourself scheduled for the visits and procedures that you need.
My family was having it's 40th family reunion in TN in July. We just had to cancel. We were to do a cruise for our 41st next year but figured people wouldn't be over the fact of cruise ship cases, so we are pushing that to 2022.
I would say to go ahead and book your ticket in the next month. I'm a member with many of the airlines, I think, since I travel a lot. I'm getting lots of messages. All of them are saying they will waive change fees for several months. Get a good price and book, then you can change it later, if needed. I'm not sure that they are reimbursing but they will give a voucher for later travel.
Did you try the turmeric? It really improved my achiness by 75%. The Celexa has also almost stopped my hot flashes. Although, I might have to be a reverse "snowbird". I need cooler weather and not heat. Talk to your doc about something for the flashes. I'd hate to see you suffer needlessly.
0 -
Kamboka - I just found out last night that my hospital will open up for non-essential surgeries starting next week. Yay! I hope that means it's a GO for my appointments. I know what you mean about the mask being so hot. I have to wear one about 50% of the time at work and it drives me crazy. That's part of my California trip that I'm not sure about. If I have to wear a mask all the time while in California, in the heat, outside, it might be a factor in canceling my trip. We will see. I already canceled my plane tickets for May and they gave me ecredit toward another trip until September of 2022. Not sure if I would still get that if I canceled my flights twice? Not sure.
I'm so sorry you had to cancel your July trip and cruise. That stinks. I love to cruise and never worried about getting sick but now is not a good time to go, I guess. We have our annual beach trip with my husband's family in July too and we are just waiting to see if we can go or not.
Thank you for the turmeric and Celexa information. I want to see if these issues die down before I add another pill to my regime but will mention them to my MO when I meet with her. My gyno surgeon said to wait to do anything yet. He said it takes about 4 months until your body adjusts, settles down to the new normal. I don't know what normal is yet and that would be the middle of Summer! Ugh! I just don't want to add another pill to my regimen. I already feel like a walking pharmacy.
Have a great day!
0 -
mocame, That's great news. I wish the hospitals here would open up, maybe I could get my ultrasound sooner. I agree with you. The mask in the heat is miserable. The heat is miserable. I had been pretty good, but the hot flashes were terrible yesterday. I wanted to run around naked. Of course it was hot, 80 last night, before the rain started.
Kaboka, hope you can arrange your travel plans. We have not had Mom's funeral, yet. I am not sure when to even plan.
0 -
petite1: Sorry you can't plan your mom's funeral yet. I was speaking to my close cousin and we both were saying we were praying that no one in our family dies since we'd be restricted to 10 people. My mom's state has started to open up so I hope the cases stay low.
I have two temperatures, hot and cold. Although, I'm not really flashing, I still get warm. Yesterday, it was in the 50s. I had the heat on all day and then when I went to bed, I started sweating so had to turn the AC on.
mocame: I had forgotten what kind of surgery your just had. yes, it's best to wait a few months to see what your baseline will be. Too bad it will occur in the dead of summer. Glad you have your ticket extended. I was thinking you hadn't bought one yet. I have a trip back to my mom's at the end of June, I hope the planes are still not crowded then.
0 -
Well, I think my hot flashes have decreased a little bit. My achiness/stiffness seems to come and go. I only got to exercise twice last week but it seemed better on those days.
Thankfully, our governor said construction can start up again on Friday so my husband can go back to work. Yay! He doesn't sit still so he has been working on our basement and doing outside work but Sundays drive him crazy. He doesn't like to work on Sundays but he is bored because there isn't anything to do.
My weekend got a little crazy. My son is a senior in high school. His senior year is ending on a very sad note because of the Covid-19. His plan was to take a gap year (to work and earn money for college) between high school and college. He was accepted by his college but will still only be 17 when he graduates in June. On Friday, his college offered him more money if he would go this fall instead of next fall. Now he tells me he is considering going this fall because of the economy and lack of job prospects! It's so late! I was scrambling this weekend trying to work on his financial aid so we can get more final $ numbers, figuring out deadlines for housing, classes, money, what we would need to buy him (all while stores are closed), etc. in the next few months if he would go. He is struggling. One day he is saying he will probably go and the next day he is saying he leaning towards not going. Ugh! He only has a few weeks to decide if he is going and if he does, get his classes, financial aid, and housing lined up because most students have all of this stuff done already. Needless to say between late nights and lots of things on my mind, I didn't get much sleep this weekend.
0 -
mocame, It sounds like you have a busy life. Jim and I put our grand niece and nephew through college. He was focused and knew what he wanted and how to get there. He finished in Criminal Justice and has been working in the police department for 5 years. She kept changing her mind, but ended up with a BA in Microbiology. We encouraged her to go to grad school, but she wanted to grow up too soon. Now, she works as a Vet Tech Assistant. They both seem happy and that's the important thing.
0 -
I have a 'play' niece that was supposed to graduation in May and then off to college in September. The family was just discussing on Saturday if we could do some kind of virtual graduation for six different places that we live in. I was nominated to plan it but need to get busy thinking of what to do.
mocame: This is such an uncertain time for your son. He's right about not knowing what to do. I do feel so sorry for thee young folks. Life is hard in 'normal' times and I can't imagine how they feel going through this.
petite1: That's so nice of you and your husband to sponsor your relatives. I was thinking of my graduation gift to my niece might be to give her a deposit into her bank account until she graduates. I so hope she can get through university. Her two older sister both got pregnant at 17.
0 -
Kamboka & Petite1 - You two are amazing to help your family out with college like that! My husband's aunt is helping by putting some money into a 529 for the kids. She gets a break on her taxes if she does that but it is appreciated. I still want the kids to have a little bit of debt and have to pay for some of college because I think they appreciate it more. Not all kids are unappreciative but I went to college at the age of 42 and I saw a number of kids that had their way paid and they put no effort into it and didn't make it.
Our governor just announced today that he didn't think graduations would happen at all. Our school just announced last night that they are pushing off graduation until June 18th in hope they can have it either in a large gym but with more social distancing or outside at our football field where we could also have more social distancing. Only immediate family allowed. Otherwise, they will be having a virtual graduation. They also postponed the prom until the end of July. I'm hoping that works and they can have some resemblance of a normal graduation.
I am having my MO appt in May now via video. I was hoping since the governor and hospital are now doing non-essential surgeries and appointments that it would be in person. I have an appt with my gyno surgeon two days before the MO and I haven't heard yet if it is in person or by video. That one I really would like in person because I am having problems with the one incision area getting very sore if it is rubbed too much. It's right at the waistband of my jeans.
Have a great day!
0 -
mocame, that sounds uncomfortable. After my TAH, I wore baggie dresses for probably 6 weeks.
Kaboka, I think that is a good idea. My brother and I talked streaming a service for mom.
0 -
mocame: I agree that making the kids pay for some of their college, it makes them appreciate it more. Back in the day when I was in school, I paid for everything either by working or with loans. My dad would give me gas money when I came home but I had a job throughout school.
Sorry you are having some incision issues. Can you put a large dressing over the area so it doesn't rub on your waistband? I did a virtual nutrition class two weeks ago and it went well. I'm thinking that the virtual sessions with our doctors might last longer than actually going to the office. My Breast Surgeon called me a few weeks ago with the mammogram results and we chat for about a minute. That's much longer than when I see her in person! I hate goting through all the trouble to get to a doctor's office and the visit lasts two minutes. My MO is very chatty and she does take the time to talk and answer questions. I have a June appointment with her. I hope things are open by that time but I'm not holding my breath.
0 -
Well, I got a text message from my gyno surgeon's office to confirm that I am coming in on Monday so it looks like my appointment will happen in person. A friend of mine works in that office and said that she got called back to work after only being off 6 days but has been working in different aspects of the medical office than she normally does. She said they aren't seeing normal routine visits yet. So I guess my post-surgery appointment isn't "normal". Probably annual gyno visits is what they consider normal.
0 -
mocame: I'm so glad you will be able to do a face-to-face so that you can show the Gyn the areas that are causing problems for you. You are lucky to get the appointment because when these offices open up for everyone, it will be so hard to get appointments--unless we have some really urgent problems. My 6 month Rads appointment is in two weeks. I've not heard from them but assume they are open and I'll have an in house appointment. I kind of hope so as it would give me a chance to get out of my house and see another part of town.
0 -
Good morning, ladies. The phase one of the reopening is rolling out. I am not in a hurry to go anywhere, but would enjoy a ride. I have the RO visit this month and not any other doctor appointment. Next month is very busy.
0 -
Today, I walked down to the mall area in DC. As I was coming out of the apartment, I heard the flyby and saw the trails from the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels. I didn't see the planes, though. I didn't realize they were doing the flyby today. If I'd only been 10 minutes earlier, I would have seen it. I was wondering why so many people were out today. Although, it's the first sunny day in a week and it's a love 68 degrees. Here is a photo. Lots of distancing and a majority had on masks. I didn't wear one outside but had to put one on to go to the pharmacy. I was only in there five minutes and I was sweating like a pig. I really can't tolerate the heat from the mask. It just triggers the hot flashes.
0 -
Kamboka, Wow. I have seen the Blue Angels once. My husband and I were on a minication near the base in Pensacola. They flew over. It was awesome.
0 -
Petite1 - That is great that you are starting to reopen. My husband was allowed to start working again this past Friday (construction) and thankfully all the jobs he had lined up before the shutdown still want to go ahead with the work. Yay! Let us know how your RO visit goes. How is your skin doing after all of this time?
Kamboka - I have never seen (or heard) the Thunderbirds or Blue Angels. That would've been great to see. I love your picture and all that blue sky in Washington DC. I was supposed to go on a bus trip to Washington DC in June with some of my family but it was canceled due to the virus. Fortunately, we found out they are going again in November, so we signed up for that trip now. Hopefully everything will be better and we can go then. I've only been to Washington DC one time and that was when I went on a school field trip as a child but only saw the Air and Space Museum. I would love to see the mall. It looks beautiful.
So, I had my gyno surgeon appt on Monday. Everything seems to be okay. He said it is normal for my incision to bother me for a few months, so I guess that is okay. I had my MO appt this afternoon. It was supposed to be via computer video but their system wasn't working right and I could see her but she couldn't see me. My achiness has gotten worse the past 2 weeks. I take a low dose of Amitriptylin for my migraine headaches and she said it is in a class of drugs she uses to treat hot flashes and achiness from Anastrozole. So, I am doubling my dosage every other day for 2 weeks and see if the hot flashes and achiness improves. If it does, I will just take the increased dosage every day. She said the achiness and hot flashes will improve but it still could be another 3 months yet until I see improvement or what will be "normal" for me.
I hope everyone is doing well!
0 -
petite1: How is the reopening going? Luckily, for me, the weather has turned rainy and cool this week so I'm not so unhappy about not having to go outside. When it gets sunny and warmer, I'll really want out. The mayor doesn't think we will peak till mid June. I thought we had peaked in early April.
mocame: I'm so happy your husband is back working and that there is work for him to do. I just feel so bad for all those folks who will have nothing to go back to. I'm also selfishly thinking about all the businesses, especially restaurants that will close and I'll never get to shop or eat there again.
Is your achiness from the AI? I tried Amitriptyline a few years ago for nerve pain related to shingles. It gave me the wildest dreams and I stopped. I hope it works for you.
I hope you can get to DC in November. It will be cooler but no crowds in the museums. I love the historic nature of the capital. There are so many free things to do. I'm very lucky that my apartment is just two blocks from the mall area. Every time I ride Uber through the area, it's so fascinating. If you make it to DC, perhaps we can meet and grab a cup of coffee. I might still be in DC then, but not sure of what or where my work will take me after travel opens back up.
My RO office called today to cancel my in person visit for next Monday. They will do a Zoom call a few days later. Today, I was on a Zoom call with the bariatric surgeon and 27 others. It was a good call in which she explained how long it might be before they open back for surgeries. She took lots of questions.
0 -
Kamboka - My achiness is the lack of estrogen due to the surgery and the AI. It's worse than before the surgery so that makes me wonder if the injections with AI doesn't get rid of as much estrogen as the surgery w/AI? When I was trying to figure out if I wanted to stick with the injections or have the surgery instead, the doctors told me there is no difference. Now that I had the surgery, they told me it is normal that the side effects are worse with the surgery. {Sigh}. I have been on Amitriptylin for years and sleep so much better than I did before but I haven't had a lot of wild dreams.
I hope your Zoom call goes well. My doctors don't use Zoom due to less privacy but I have used Zoom for the past couple of months and it hasn't given me any issues. Whatever system my doctors use apparently was the problem. I didn't like it that my MO was really rushed and I had to stop her from ending the conversation to talk about the Prolia. I know she was running late and I was the last patient. I also know that she is doing double case loads because my previous MO left and I understand that but I need care to handle my health too, so it was frustrating.
I have no idea what it is like living in the city. I live in a rural area which is a combination of farmland and having a Walmart, restaurants, and 2 other grocery stores within 5 minutes drive and an amusement park within 10 minutes. But I can't go out of my house and walk down my street because it is a busy rural road with no sidewalk or edge to walk along it safely without walking in people's yards or a field. When we downsize, we will probably move closer to town so I can get out and walk safely. So, I think it is wonderful that you can have so much space to walk and see things just a few blocks from you! Plus, it is beautiful!
0 -
Good morning, ladies. It is good to hear from you both. Kamboka, I haven't gone anywhere since the reopening. They repaved the road in front of the house. That took 2 days. I was still able to get in a walk. I have not done a ZOOM call and I am not sure how it goes. The doctor sees you & you can see the doc? What if they want to look at your breast. Would the video end up all over the universe? Mocame, I live in a rural area, too. I am about an hour and half to two hours north of Tampa, St. Petersburg area. We have Walmart and Bealls. Downtown Crystal River is adorable. It is about 30 minutes away. I hope all the cute little shops, cafes and bars survive. I hope we don't get any hurricanes this year, because that would probably take out the surviving businesses.
0 -
Petite1 - I LOVE Florida, except the high humidity.
I'm a huge Disney fan so I love going there. Years ago my grandfather used to live in Sebring, Florida. My parents then bought a house there so my other grandparents could live there too. I loved it and used to walk around town and walk to the pier. Those are fond memories but I'm not sure the town is in as great shape as what it used to be from what I have heard. 
The last thing we need is an active hurricane season.In a Zoom call, all people connected can see each other as long as they have a camera attached to their monitor/phone. Yes, they can look at things during the visits. I don't know that I would trust doing that on Zoom but I know they do that on other video health programs. My father-in-law had to do that last week so he could show his surgeon how his incision is healing.
I hope life for you starts getting back to normal and you can get out and about more. I'm hoping my area can soon stop the stay-at-home but our nursing homes have been hit hard and we are known for being a hot bed of nursing homes in this area. I work for a retirement community. It's sad but we are trying to do all we can. What we really need is the availability of supplies (cleaning, wipes, hand sanitizer, PPEs and food).
Have a great night!
0 -
mocame, I have been to Sebring, but not in recent years. I hope you will soon be able to get the supplies you need. I am glad I am retired. Local, Citrus County, nursing homes have been badly hit. There was one positive person in an ALF.
0
