OT - starting radiology this week

Mom,

I know better than most how strong-willed you are when it comes to stuff like this. I know you are worried--who in their right mind wouldn't be?-- but you will make it.

And, look! So many well-wishers!

I know you won't let us, let alone yourself, down.

Oh, and Brother Amos! It's been too long!

Joanie - I'm so glad that treatment is about to be underway for you now! I wish you all the best!

Keep us posted! We are all thinking of you!

Catnapper wrote:My thanks to everyone who wrote to me, both here and with PM. It means so much.

Today went well. I like the doctor. I had the first marking and CT scans. I look like someone had fun with a red sharpie on my boob. (I never had that fantasy before now!) Tomorrow they will do the marking and scans again, do the tattoos, and a simulation of the actual treatment. Treatment will begin Thursday.

So far, so good.

Thanks again for the support and encouragement,

Catnapper - Joanie

Hey Cat, MEOW
Girl ,don't ya just LOVE the artwork? I didn't have tats done, I had to have artwork redone. They placed lil clear circles over the cross sections, with instructions DO NOT WASH OFF WEEEELLLLLLL Lets just say I didn't touch them, but they had a mind all thier own! Found one on my tush area Then others in different spots. I would just show up and say you gotta replace circle #1, etc. On my fourth day in they knew LOL
I will be thinkin of you and praying that you don't burn! Remember you gotta allow yourself to rest and YOU deserve that rest! Do NOT feel guilty. (waggin my finger at ya) Drink lots of water, I mean LOTS. It helps you keep up a lil energy.
You know where I am if ya need me.

Love ya Dustbunnie

Joanie and Jane, both of you will be in my prayers. I have two friends who've been through radiation treatment for breast cancer, and each of them told me it wasn't too bad, but it really sapped their energy. Please take extra good care of yourself during this time. And the one friend (who, by the way is a 15+ year survivor... she's fiiiiiine. ) told me about this great cream that her oncologist prescribed for her to use throughout her radiation treatments. Its common name is Silvadine (pronounced sil'-vuh-deen), and the mouthful name is silver sulfadiazine (sul-fuh-di'-a-zeen). She said a common side effect of the treatment is burned skin, like a bad sunburn, and sometimes scarring results. She said she had none of that and attributes it to having faithfully used the Silvadine. I used it myself when I managed to get a pretty good "pay attention when you're getting stuff out of the oven" burn [ ], and I really liked it. No scar and fast heal. It's Rx only... check it out!

Best of everything to both of you. Please give us news updates when you can.

Marsha

Joanie,
I must have missed your original post about anticipating surgery. Glad to hear that's over and you're ready to get this next phase behind you. I've not had radiation myself, just know a couple ladies who had radiation maybe 10 years ago. I expect you'll be one patient the staff will look forward to seeing each session, and I hope each staff person both you and Jane encounter will be committed to making this experience the best it can possibly be for you. Having a loving and supportive family when encountering health speedbumps is a blessing. In a few months I imagine you will be found nurturing along a radiation newbie, telling the story of "how I got over".

To the others who have been through this or are going through it, it's nice to know that the cross section of society on this forum provides a mini support group for almost any illness. I'm following this closely, just in case. Have to get another mammogram in 6 months. We just never know what the future holds. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

Kathy

So, today was the first day of real radiation treatment for me. There were lots of markings, body adjustments, x-rays, and finally the radiation. All checked out so then the tattoos were added, all 9 of them.

The machine broke right in the middle of the session, causing frustration for the techs, and extending the time I had to remain absolutely motionless in that awkward position. Also there was the photographing of my boob. I can't come up with a good reason for that photo, but it makes sense somehow to them. Poor thing has surgical scars, tattoos, and 4 colors of markers liberally splashed on it. Not my best look.

My head knows that this treatment is necessary and worthwhile, and I am committed to completing it, but my heart appears to be not quite caught up with my head. I do feel traumatized but there was nothing really bad about the experience. I was cold, uncomfortable and nervous, but nothing hurt. Harry went with me so I wouldn't have to drive home or be alone. It did help to know he was there waiting for me. I am usually brave and courageous about this sort of thing, so I am puzzled that it bothers me.

I will have 28 regular treatments and some number (between 2 and 8 ) of what are called boosts, where the radiation is focused on the site of the lesion rather than the whole area of the breast. So, 1 down and a lot to go.

Thanks for all the support and good wishes. I needed them.

Catnapper - Joanie

Ah Joan, I'm so sorry!!!! Chemo/radiation is the pits. I know so many cancer survivors who literally thought the "treatment" was gonna kill them off.

I have a coworker right now who is going through that very thing. She was off work most of last year, and has only been PT this year. She's so thin, and her ethnicity means her skin is brown, and her little beanie caps look so much like the caps Muslim men wear,that she gets called "sir" alot. She finds it funny, and I thought you would too. Note: Wear caps with flowers or something girly on them.

But you'll get through this. I know you will. You have a great attitude and you persevere for what you need.

Keep in touch and GIANT CYBER HUGS!!!!!!

{{{{{{Joan}}}}}}}}

Barbara

Oh Joannie, I really extend my understanding and my ignorant sympathy to you. Yesterday, was to have been my day to see my dentist and to see my orthopedist for my 1 year follow up from knee replacement. I canceled the orthopedist's app't because the office wanted a one year follow up x-ray and I didn't want any more radiation poisoning. And the dentist was told that there would be no x-ray's either-only a look-see exam. However, the dentist said that with the digital x-ray, I would receive a lot less radiation that I would by sitting in a window seat on Southwest Airlines, so I gave in. My first treatment will be Monday, and I'll p.m. you to tell you how it went. It's not right to hijack your thread. But anyway, unless one has the nerve and knowledge to go with an alternate cancer treatment, this is it. And there surely are a lot of survivors around. Take heart because some day this will be the past. And then you will be able to encourage others who are facing this.

Jane

Joanie - good luck and strength to you.
Give yourself plenty of pretty treats for what you are enduring.
and yes it makes CPAP therapy seem like a piece of cake.