earilywarning signs

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hooter
hooter Member Posts: 10
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
my earily warning sign was bleeding from the nipple with no lumps or nothing..had mammogram and ultra sound done they showed nothing..but dr and i decided to do biospy any way... to see what was causing the bleeding and thats when he found i had imbasive and ovasive cancer...so he did second biospy and took out some limpnodes and had them checked but all was clear...so now i decided on radation....was wondering how bad the side affects are after treatments? i have to go for 6 weeks everyday.... any help would be nice...


hooter
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  • cabbott
    cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
    #2
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    Radiation Side effects
    My dad had to have radiation treatments for prostrate cancer. I know, it is a different part of the body and all, but the same fears. He is a white blonde and was SURE he would burn and blister like crazy. We bought him special soft gym pants so that nothing would irritate him and told mom to expect him to sleep all the time. Well, the techs took bets on how many weeks of the 7 1/2 weeks of treatment it would take before he blistered and they all lost! He never missed a golf game though he did splurge on a cart the last two weeks of his treatments. He said he napped for an hour or two every after noon, especially after the first two weeks. But he also went out to eat, painted several rooms, went swimming, and otherwise enjoyed his retirement. I have known teachers that worked the entire time and never missed a day of work. They did have to schedule their appointments to work with the school schedule of course. The long and the short of it is that this will help and it is not a nightmare. You will want some comfortable clothes. You may need to go bra-less the last few weeks so that you don't irritate the spot. Don't use any meds or deoderants unless your doctor approves them first. That includes anything you put in or on your body! They will tell you what kind of ointment will work best to keep your skin in good condition. They have to tell you about all the side effects and it is a good idea to let them know if any of those side effects are bothersome. But most folks will sail through just fine. The new targeted radiation therapy is so much better than what they had back ten years ago that it is not even the same experience. Good luck!

    C. Abbott
  • hooter
    hooter Member Posts: 10
    #3
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    cabbott said:

    Radiation Side effects
    My dad had to have radiation treatments for prostrate cancer. I know, it is a different part of the body and all, but the same fears. He is a white blonde and was SURE he would burn and blister like crazy. We bought him special soft gym pants so that nothing would irritate him and told mom to expect him to sleep all the time. Well, the techs took bets on how many weeks of the 7 1/2 weeks of treatment it would take before he blistered and they all lost! He never missed a golf game though he did splurge on a cart the last two weeks of his treatments. He said he napped for an hour or two every after noon, especially after the first two weeks. But he also went out to eat, painted several rooms, went swimming, and otherwise enjoyed his retirement. I have known teachers that worked the entire time and never missed a day of work. They did have to schedule their appointments to work with the school schedule of course. The long and the short of it is that this will help and it is not a nightmare. You will want some comfortable clothes. You may need to go bra-less the last few weeks so that you don't irritate the spot. Don't use any meds or deoderants unless your doctor approves them first. That includes anything you put in or on your body! They will tell you what kind of ointment will work best to keep your skin in good condition. They have to tell you about all the side effects and it is a good idea to let them know if any of those side effects are bothersome. But most folks will sail through just fine. The new targeted radiation therapy is so much better than what they had back ten years ago that it is not even the same experience. Good luck!

    C. Abbott

    radation side effects
    thank you C.Abbot.. i have heard many peaple tell me that radation will knock me on my butt..but i also here stories that its a breeze.. i guess everyone is different... but its nice to know i can come here and talk to ppl in same situation and stuff....


    hooter
  • maya00i
    maya00i Member Posts: 42
    #4
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    I had no side effects what
    I had no side effects what so ever with radiation. I was told to put cream on it eveeryday.I too went everyday for 48 treatments. You do get tired.
    My early signs were lum under my arm that was very painful. The Dr. found a lump in my breast. I had a radical modified masrectomy with 9 positive lymph nodes.
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #5
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    Welcome Hooter....
    Not sure how much help I will be just yet as I have not started my Radiation treatments yet. But you can be sure I will post my entire experience in hopes that it will help others. Besides the fact that I love to talk!! I do know that it does effect everyone differently. I know someone that never showed they were tired and a friend that tired by the end of the first week. So I'm going in with the expectation that nothing would surprise me!! Good luck and we would love to hear how it goes for you so be sure to tell us! :) Pammy
  • CR1954
    CR1954 Member Posts: 1,390 Member
    #6
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    Hooter......
    Hello and welcome.......

    Compared to chemo, radiation WAS much easier. It only takes a few minutes every day and then you are on your way again.

    I got rad burns near the end of my treatments, but nothing too bad, like a bad sunburn really. The doc should give you something to put on those.

    Fatigue...I was good until the last couple of weeks, and then got very tired. They said that the fatigue is "cumulative", so it builds up. The worst of the fatigue lasted a few weeks after rads also.

    Everyone has different experiences, but that is how it went for me. Hope it helps...

    I had complained to my doctors about INTENSE itching for over a year. They said...use lotion. Then the itching turned into pain. They said...don't worry, there is no pain with bc,so it isn't that. Finally, I had outward changes, like the "orange peel" looking areas and shape change. That got their attention, at last.
    Then they acted like...you idiot! Didn't you know something was going on?!
    By then, the tumor was quite large and I had several lymph nodes involved.

    CR
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #7
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    Welcome Hooter
    Like everyone has said, we all react differently to radiation, but across the board, it is easier than chemo. Not to say it isn't hard for some. You will definitely burn, but if you keep the creams on and your techs keep an eye on it, you will do great.
    Take care

    Cat
  • dmc_emmy
    dmc_emmy Member Posts: 549
    #8
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    cats_toy said:

    Welcome Hooter
    Like everyone has said, we all react differently to radiation, but across the board, it is easier than chemo. Not to say it isn't hard for some. You will definitely burn, but if you keep the creams on and your techs keep an eye on it, you will do great.
    Take care

    Cat

    welcome Hooter
    I ditto to everything said thus far.

    My I also suggest that, due to potential fatigue or simply not wanting to get into your own car everyday and drive to rads, that you set-up a van to come to your house and pick you up. You may meet some very nice folks who are going through the same thing you are and it does help with morale (the comradery is great, too). Your local ACS office can arrange this for you, or ask your treatment center. I found this helped me significantly (since I did not have anyone to take me).

    Also, I used both Aloe and Aquaphor for tender skin and I never burned. I itched after treatment, and the Aquaphor helped. Lastly, though I'm sure that your techs or dr already told you, limit your sun exposure and/or wear a wide-brimmed hat and long sleeves when outside. I was told to also wear gloves when I worked in my gardens to avoid injurying my hands, which could cause infection. I suppose that the latter is just plain common sense, but I probably would not have thought of it on my own.

    Wish you well.
    dmc
  • hooter
    hooter Member Posts: 10
    #9
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    dmc_emmy said:

    welcome Hooter
    I ditto to everything said thus far.

    My I also suggest that, due to potential fatigue or simply not wanting to get into your own car everyday and drive to rads, that you set-up a van to come to your house and pick you up. You may meet some very nice folks who are going through the same thing you are and it does help with morale (the comradery is great, too). Your local ACS office can arrange this for you, or ask your treatment center. I found this helped me significantly (since I did not have anyone to take me).

    Also, I used both Aloe and Aquaphor for tender skin and I never burned. I itched after treatment, and the Aquaphor helped. Lastly, though I'm sure that your techs or dr already told you, limit your sun exposure and/or wear a wide-brimmed hat and long sleeves when outside. I was told to also wear gloves when I worked in my gardens to avoid injurying my hands, which could cause infection. I suppose that the latter is just plain common sense, but I probably would not have thought of it on my own.

    Wish you well.
    dmc

    earily warning signs
    thanks all..i will report my progess as i go. so far all has been helpful...




    hooter
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #10
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    hooter said:

    earily warning signs
    thanks all..i will report my progess as i go. so far all has been helpful...




    hooter

    Hooter, sometimes with
    Hooter, sometimes with radiation treatments you will get very tired. After all, they are killing all of your good and bad cells. And just the daily routine is exhausting. And, you might get burnt, but, the radiation oncologist's will give you prescriptions to help you. Just do what they say and you will be done in no time! Good luck!
  • hooter
    hooter Member Posts: 10
    #11
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    DianeBC said:

    Hooter, sometimes with
    Hooter, sometimes with radiation treatments you will get very tired. After all, they are killing all of your good and bad cells. And just the daily routine is exhausting. And, you might get burnt, but, the radiation oncologist's will give you prescriptions to help you. Just do what they say and you will be done in no time! Good luck!

    started radation 2 weeks ago still got 4weeks left
    so far the radation hasn't been to bad...i get tired every other day and my throat is sore...but thats it so far..only trouble i have is with my hubby...he doesn't understand why i get tired and why i want to take naps after treatments..all we have done is agrue....i have been trying to make him understand...but he just won't listen....with him acting like he does it's making me depressed.....i don't know what to do with him....he blames me for all this..like i told him i wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy..and i sure in the heck didn't ask for this......its so bad that i ma at the point of just giving up on my treatments and letting nature take its course..please help if you can... i am at witts end....

    sorry for caring on like this,,but i have no one else to talk to...

    thank you.

    hooter
  • tommaseena
    tommaseena Member Posts: 1,769
    #12
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    hooter said:

    started radation 2 weeks ago still got 4weeks left
    so far the radation hasn't been to bad...i get tired every other day and my throat is sore...but thats it so far..only trouble i have is with my hubby...he doesn't understand why i get tired and why i want to take naps after treatments..all we have done is agrue....i have been trying to make him understand...but he just won't listen....with him acting like he does it's making me depressed.....i don't know what to do with him....he blames me for all this..like i told him i wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy..and i sure in the heck didn't ask for this......its so bad that i ma at the point of just giving up on my treatments and letting nature take its course..please help if you can... i am at witts end....

    sorry for caring on like this,,but i have no one else to talk to...

    thank you.

    hooter

    Maybe
    Maybe you both need a short break from each other--only a day or two--so he can think about what he is saying to you.

    DO NOT give up on your treatments--you need to beat this beast with everything you have.

    Your hubby needs to speak with other significant others who have or are going through this so maybe he will understand what it is like. Maybe he also needs too speak with others that are or have gone through treatments.

    We are all here for you--You are not caring on---you are talking with the right group--some of us know what it is like to have someone blame us or treat us wrong.

    Hugs to you,
    Margo
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    #13
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    hooter said:

    started radation 2 weeks ago still got 4weeks left
    so far the radation hasn't been to bad...i get tired every other day and my throat is sore...but thats it so far..only trouble i have is with my hubby...he doesn't understand why i get tired and why i want to take naps after treatments..all we have done is agrue....i have been trying to make him understand...but he just won't listen....with him acting like he does it's making me depressed.....i don't know what to do with him....he blames me for all this..like i told him i wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy..and i sure in the heck didn't ask for this......its so bad that i ma at the point of just giving up on my treatments and letting nature take its course..please help if you can... i am at witts end....

    sorry for caring on like this,,but i have no one else to talk to...

    thank you.

    hooter

    hooter~ great name! :-)
    I
    hooter~ great name! :-)

    I am really sorry that your hubby isn't supportive while you are going through this; sadly, it isn't the first time we have heard of our partners acting less than human! I feel certain that you will get some great advice from other warrior-survivors in here who have been in your shoes, and you can hopefully regain the strength you need.

    Please don't apolgize for "carrying on"~ we are here to help each other! We are a large, strong, supportive group of Kindred Spirits, Sisters in Pink~ and ALL of us have the need to speak the truth and say what is in our hearts. Just be assured that you are NOT alone; all of us in here are in some way fighting the Beast and we are united in that common bond.

    I hope you come in often! Even if you don't even feel like posting, it's a wonderful place to come and read encouraging things! And the more you do post, the sooner you will see that you are part of an amazing family, and we are connected in ways which will give you courage to face the day~ no matter what it brings!

    You will get through the radiation~ and on to Life after Cancer!

    Hugs,
    Claudia
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    #14
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    hooter said:

    started radation 2 weeks ago still got 4weeks left
    so far the radation hasn't been to bad...i get tired every other day and my throat is sore...but thats it so far..only trouble i have is with my hubby...he doesn't understand why i get tired and why i want to take naps after treatments..all we have done is agrue....i have been trying to make him understand...but he just won't listen....with him acting like he does it's making me depressed.....i don't know what to do with him....he blames me for all this..like i told him i wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy..and i sure in the heck didn't ask for this......its so bad that i ma at the point of just giving up on my treatments and letting nature take its course..please help if you can... i am at witts end....

    sorry for caring on like this,,but i have no one else to talk to...

    thank you.

    hooter

    Hooter
    Hi there, You 'carry on' all you like. It's not any help to you at this time for him to go into denial and bury his head in the sand. Some men just can't cope with this. My partner was a total pig and he still is.
    Don't let his attitude chase you away from the treatments you need. Have you tried tying him to a chair and explaining in words of no more than 3 syllables just what is going on?..That this is not 'All about Him'?

    Whe I was diagnosed all mine could say was..."Well I have Diabetes, blood pressure, reflux...." The list went on, he treated it like a competition..(Who is illest?) LOL. I could vave kicked him~!

    Anyway, anytime you need to talk I'll be not far off. Huge Hugs to you, stay strong and don't let him upset you anymore!

    Luv Jxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    #15
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    hooter said:

    started radation 2 weeks ago still got 4weeks left
    so far the radation hasn't been to bad...i get tired every other day and my throat is sore...but thats it so far..only trouble i have is with my hubby...he doesn't understand why i get tired and why i want to take naps after treatments..all we have done is agrue....i have been trying to make him understand...but he just won't listen....with him acting like he does it's making me depressed.....i don't know what to do with him....he blames me for all this..like i told him i wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy..and i sure in the heck didn't ask for this......its so bad that i ma at the point of just giving up on my treatments and letting nature take its course..please help if you can... i am at witts end....

    sorry for caring on like this,,but i have no one else to talk to...

    thank you.

    hooter

    Glad your here
    Welcom Hooter, you are in the right place. I am so sorry about all that is happening to you, I wonder if your husband is so angry at the cancer that he is taking it out on you, or has he showed these signs of abuse in the past? either way, we are here to support you. Remember it always gets darkest before the dawn.

    Please continue with your treatments dear, You are worth the long and happy life you can have after this is over. Please keep us posted. and I will keep you in my prayers.
    hugs,
    Jackie
  • outdoorgirl
    outdoorgirl Member Posts: 1,565
    #16
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    hooter said:

    started radation 2 weeks ago still got 4weeks left
    so far the radation hasn't been to bad...i get tired every other day and my throat is sore...but thats it so far..only trouble i have is with my hubby...he doesn't understand why i get tired and why i want to take naps after treatments..all we have done is agrue....i have been trying to make him understand...but he just won't listen....with him acting like he does it's making me depressed.....i don't know what to do with him....he blames me for all this..like i told him i wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy..and i sure in the heck didn't ask for this......its so bad that i ma at the point of just giving up on my treatments and letting nature take its course..please help if you can... i am at witts end....

    sorry for caring on like this,,but i have no one else to talk to...

    thank you.

    hooter

    Welcome,
    Hooter!
    That's the thing about people who have never had to face this beast-they just don't get it about anything that has to do with it(but then,neither did I before I was diagnosed)! You know,I've been on both sides of the fence kind of now(patient and family member of someone who was possibly facing it-thank God she didn't have to)and I can understand how people who love you and are your friends would worry and care and need to share their own feelings...but really,it's you who are sick!Of course you are going to be tired all the time and want to sleep-I still feel like that sometimes!My husband remembers how we would go grocery shopping during my treatments-we would go for about half an hour,45 minutes and I would be so worn out from it that I would sleep on the car ride home.
    It would be neat if he could get on here and ask us questions and we could explain to him about how you're feeling-it wouldn't be the first time that's ever happened. Boyfriends have gotten on here about their girlfriends before with questions. Or how about you guys going to a cancer support group together-do you think he'd be up to that?Or if he isn't listening to you,maybe he won't-I don't know...I don't know how anyone could blame you for what you're going through-like you asked for cancer!!Definately don't quit your treatments-you need to take care of you!And he needs to pull up his"big boy undies"and help out instead of complaining all of the time!
    Anyways,I'm glad that you found us here-we totally understand and are here for you anytime!
    Take care,
    Patty
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #17
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    outdoorgirl said:

    Welcome,
    Hooter!
    That's the thing about people who have never had to face this beast-they just don't get it about anything that has to do with it(but then,neither did I before I was diagnosed)! You know,I've been on both sides of the fence kind of now(patient and family member of someone who was possibly facing it-thank God she didn't have to)and I can understand how people who love you and are your friends would worry and care and need to share their own feelings...but really,it's you who are sick!Of course you are going to be tired all the time and want to sleep-I still feel like that sometimes!My husband remembers how we would go grocery shopping during my treatments-we would go for about half an hour,45 minutes and I would be so worn out from it that I would sleep on the car ride home.
    It would be neat if he could get on here and ask us questions and we could explain to him about how you're feeling-it wouldn't be the first time that's ever happened. Boyfriends have gotten on here about their girlfriends before with questions. Or how about you guys going to a cancer support group together-do you think he'd be up to that?Or if he isn't listening to you,maybe he won't-I don't know...I don't know how anyone could blame you for what you're going through-like you asked for cancer!!Definately don't quit your treatments-you need to take care of you!And he needs to pull up his"big boy undies"and help out instead of complaining all of the time!
    Anyways,I'm glad that you found us here-we totally understand and are here for you anytime!
    Take care,
    Patty

    Hooter
    All I can say is " We get it "
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #18
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    husbands....
    Hooter, this isn't the first time someone has written in about something like this. And not just with husbands. People in our lives don't want things to change. Seeing the physical effects of therapy sometimes makes the whole experience too "real" for those who are close to us. That said, it is no excuse to treat you badly. Right now, the focus should be on you -- getting you healthy and through therapy. Your health and wellbeing are the most important thing right now -- and it should be the most important thing to your husband as well. He needs to support and nuture you, not stress you out further. Unfortunately, some people are not capable of that. Talk to him and tell him what you need. Say that you love him and need him to there for you fully right now. Then shift the focus onto yourself and do everything you can to make yourself happy and healthy. Come here for help and to vent whenever you need to.

    Mimi
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #19
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    mimivac said:

    husbands....
    Hooter, this isn't the first time someone has written in about something like this. And not just with husbands. People in our lives don't want things to change. Seeing the physical effects of therapy sometimes makes the whole experience too "real" for those who are close to us. That said, it is no excuse to treat you badly. Right now, the focus should be on you -- getting you healthy and through therapy. Your health and wellbeing are the most important thing right now -- and it should be the most important thing to your husband as well. He needs to support and nuture you, not stress you out further. Unfortunately, some people are not capable of that. Talk to him and tell him what you need. Say that you love him and need him to there for you fully right now. Then shift the focus onto yourself and do everything you can to make yourself happy and healthy. Come here for help and to vent whenever you need to.

    Mimi

    Hooter, you just take care
    Hooter, you just take care of yourself and don't worry about your husband or his attitude. This is about you and your taking treatments to save your life. Nothing else.

    Perhaps, he needs to see a counselor, a priest or talk to your doctor. He needs to be reminded that his needs come way behind yours now.

    You just continue your treatments. We are here to support you
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #20
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    hooter said:

    started radation 2 weeks ago still got 4weeks left
    so far the radation hasn't been to bad...i get tired every other day and my throat is sore...but thats it so far..only trouble i have is with my hubby...he doesn't understand why i get tired and why i want to take naps after treatments..all we have done is agrue....i have been trying to make him understand...but he just won't listen....with him acting like he does it's making me depressed.....i don't know what to do with him....he blames me for all this..like i told him i wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy..and i sure in the heck didn't ask for this......its so bad that i ma at the point of just giving up on my treatments and letting nature take its course..please help if you can... i am at witts end....

    sorry for caring on like this,,but i have no one else to talk to...

    thank you.

    hooter

    Hooter....
    First off, let me tell you how sorry I am that you have to have added pressure on your shoulders at a time like this.. Second, let me tell you that no matter what you do, your actions will not fix your husband!! He needs to own up to his behavior and take responsibility for it and you need to know that you are responsible for you, period.
    Being married is a give and take partnership. Not one where he takes and you "give in".
    Please do not stop Radiation! What would he do if you took this step, then this disease took you? He would no longer need to complain that you are tired because you would be gone. If you feel it is a no win situation, then err on the side of you winning!!
    Please stay in radiation and I will literaly do this with you! We are on the exact same schedule. I just finished week 2 (5 more to go). My husband and I were just talking tonight that "Bam", I just got knocked over today with fatique hard!! He is prepared for it because I got him a book that he read that opened his eyes tremendously. Written by a man called "Breast Cancer Husband". Got it cheap on Amazon. Maybe check it out at the library or buy one for him and hope he reads it (I left mine on the coffee table), it may make a world of difference.
    Please post again and let us know how you are doing. Hang in there and we can compare notes with Rads! Wanna take bets who tans first???? :(-) Pammy
  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    #21
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    Akiss4me said:

    Hooter....
    First off, let me tell you how sorry I am that you have to have added pressure on your shoulders at a time like this.. Second, let me tell you that no matter what you do, your actions will not fix your husband!! He needs to own up to his behavior and take responsibility for it and you need to know that you are responsible for you, period.
    Being married is a give and take partnership. Not one where he takes and you "give in".
    Please do not stop Radiation! What would he do if you took this step, then this disease took you? He would no longer need to complain that you are tired because you would be gone. If you feel it is a no win situation, then err on the side of you winning!!
    Please stay in radiation and I will literaly do this with you! We are on the exact same schedule. I just finished week 2 (5 more to go). My husband and I were just talking tonight that "Bam", I just got knocked over today with fatique hard!! He is prepared for it because I got him a book that he read that opened his eyes tremendously. Written by a man called "Breast Cancer Husband". Got it cheap on Amazon. Maybe check it out at the library or buy one for him and hope he reads it (I left mine on the coffee table), it may make a world of difference.
    Please post again and let us know how you are doing. Hang in there and we can compare notes with Rads! Wanna take bets who tans first???? :(-) Pammy

    So well said. And now I
    So well said. And now I know why you have your blankie. Pammy is sleepy. Nap, Pammie, Nap. Rest is important. It hit me hard and fast also. And use the lotions. That can hit hard and fast also.
    Stef

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